A Century Later Poster
New Show for Fall 2023!
Category Archives: Fibre Art
Our 2020 show opens in May!
Life begins anew in spring, a fitting time to present our 2020 exhibition titled “Renewal”.
The exhibition and sale of new works takes place from May 1 to 29, 2020, at Kloepfer Gallery in downtown Guelph, Ontario. The public is invited to an opening reception with artists present, on Saturday, May 2 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Participating artists in this year’s show are: Judy French (oil); Carol Hughes (watercolour); Kim Johnston (water media, pastel and oils); Jean Loney (glass mosaic); Gail Root (oils and chalk pastel); M. Anne Smith (textile and fibre arts); plus new members Dianne Kennedy Cruttenden (woven tapestry); and Heather Wood (glass and mixed media).
2018 Show
“Momentum” is the title of the 2018 annual exhibition and sale by the Octarine Artists. The show takes place from May 1 – 31 at the Cafe Creperie, Elora, Ontario.
Participating artists: Judy French, Carol Hughes, Kim Johnston, Jean Loney, Leslie Miles, Gail Root, Anne Smith, Susan Strachan Johnson.
Latest News from Members!
Our members have been very busy! First of all, don’t miss the opening of the latest show by Connections Fibre Artists, titled Celebrating the Group of Seven, which includes work by our own Helen Hughes. It runs from April 5 to June 8 at Wellington County Museum, and the opening reception is on Friday April 4th, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Show poster
If you want to see a spectacular Tom Thomson type work in textile, don’t miss this piece by Helen. The Museum charges a nominal entrance fee during regular daily open hours, but no fee is charged the evening of the opening. So that’s a good time to go!
Another show, which involves work by Helen, Deb and Leslie, will open this week of March 24th, at the Boathouse on Gordon St in Guelph, and it will be up until the first week of June. This show represents current art of the Studio Tour membership.
Just longing for Spring? Seen any robins? Well, they’re coming! Here is a lovely watercolour by Kim Johnston, which is currently included in her solo show in the main lobby of Groves Memorial Hospital, Fergus, as part of Art in Public Places (organized by the Elora Arts Council.) Kim’s work will be there until the end of April.
Watch this space!
SUSAN STRACHAN JOHNSON
Biography
Susan studied Philosophy and History of Art at Leeds University (BA Hons), and Design and Craft with the City & Guilds Institute of London (Level 3 Diploma). Having been a painter all her life, she has also worked in fibre art since 2003. Among many other juried shows, she has shown by invitation at the 2003 Biennale in Florence, Threadworks 2004 and 2007, and the Grand National Quilt Show in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2013. Awards include Best in Show in Threadworks 2004, the Fibre Art award at Insights (2006), and the Rebecca Burghardt Emerging Artist Award at Touched by Fire (2008).
Susan teaches workshops in fibre art techniques throughout Southern Ontario, and also offers private instruction in her studio, though her popular “Play for a Day” getaways. In addition to working in fibre, Susan accepts mural and church commissions, and paints portraits in watercolour and other media from photographs.
Artist’s Statement
My work is inspired by nature and the landscape around my home: I am an avid environmentalist. I work with distressed fibres, paper-and-textile combinations, and found objects; I also paint and dye my own materials. Recently my work has been increasingly realistic, and I have focused more on line and colour than stitch. Increasingly I am happy to just observe things; I often use shadows of myself to reinforce my role as a watcher, seeking not only to portray my surroundings, but also to comment upon them.
Website: www.strachanjohnson.com
Blog: www.strachanjohnson.com/blogspot
