SOFAAR launches “conception to completion” workshops

Concept to Completion

SOFAAR is offering members a program called Concept to Completion. This programming is intended for members of our society who want to try using their fibre skills to design and create an original piece of work or who are interested in learning more about how to take a concept for a work of fibre art and make it into a reality.

There will be three phases of the program; Concept, Execution and Completion. Members are invited to participate in one or all of the workshops depending on their specific interest.

The first phase of the program, Concept, will be held May 5, 2019, from 1:30 – 3:30, at the Granville Ferry Community Hall. We will convene a panel of fibre artists in Stitching, Art Quilting, Knitting, Rug Hooking and Needle Felting.  They will speak about how they proceed in making a concept into a finished piece. Do they draw it first? Does their original concept evolve during the process? What are the technical skills required in a particular field of fibre arts? The creative process is unique.

Our panelists will be Penny Berens, Rachel Ryan, Cheryl den Hartog, and Heather Horsfall. A fifth panelist will be added at a later date.

Following all presentations members will have an opportunity to ask questions and gain information that they can use in their own work. Our panelists are happy to share their creative process.

Phase 2, Execution, is aimed at members who wish to work with a mentor in one of the five above-mentioned categories of fibre arts and who need help and encouragement with original design. This will be in a small class format with each participant having a chance to work on a project idea of their own while consulting with someone with expertise. Phase 3, Completion, is aimed at helping our members complete their original piece of work either for hanging on their own wall or for exhibition. We will have more information at a later time.

Please write to us at info@sofaar.ca if you are planning to participate in Phase 1, Concept, so we will have nibbles for everyone. Last minute attendees are still welcome.

If you willing to give original design a try and are wondering where to start Heritage Homes will be the theme of SOFAAR’s 2020 Members’ Exhibition, which will be held at ARTsPlace to coincide with the Annapolis Historical Gardens House & Garden Tour. Members will be invited to create images of heritage homes in fibre. The interpretation of the home need not be in a realism form; it could be abstract, it could be a collage of different features of the home or anything your mind’s eye sees.

Snips and Scraps: lots of fibre fun!

One of SOFAAR’s largest events of the year (SNIPS & SCRAPS) took place on April 13th at the A.R. Firehall.  Over 150 people attended to see 18 exhibitors featuring creative ways to re-use scraps of fibre &/or explain the environmental impacts of the textile industry. The success of this event was clearly evident by the high level of interest & enthusiasm generated throughout the day.
Although our exhibitors varied in age from grade fours to octogenarians, they all had displays that reflected their dedication to keeping fibre out of our landfills.  A special thank-you to CARP as well as the students who entered the Student Challenge to create pieces from fibre that would otherwise have been destined for the landfill.
Congratulations to Digby and Champlain elementary schools who tied for first place in this challenge!