August is the month when reality starts to creep in around the doorway. For those who don’t count summer weekends, or minutes of lost daily sunshine like the really obnoxious billboard posted on I-394, August typically heralds reckonings of “summer is almost gone!” We in Minnesota are lucky in that schools don’t start until the day after Labor Day; pushing back dreaded conformity’s noose to tighten in September. I know other Midwestern states who officially start school after Labor Day but claim exemptions which force everyone to muster up as early as the middle of the month. As I write this, it’s a perfectly beautiful sunny day on the back porch so I’m going with that. Today’s Road Trip Option #4 is the last of the summer series. We’re Touring the Twin Towns (my stomping grounds) because there are many fabulous fiber arts exhibits and creative opportunities right in our backyard and the TC is a great destination for a quick last-minute getaway! So c’mon up (or down)!
First up, a couple of quick opportunities this weekend at Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA). A couple of years ago, I learned about paper marbling from Mary Holland. It’s a fascinating process with a magical outcome (at least it was for her). This weekend, MCBA through their Open Studio series, has a day for paper marblers to come and work in their studio from 10 – 4 p.m. on Saturday. Register a couple of days ahead. More Info On Sunday, Origami Minnesota holds a meet-up at MCBA from 1 – 4 p.m. Learn about this art, all sorts of papers (because you know the book arts people love their papers) and beginners are welcome. More Info File this little nugget away, too. Mary Holland is teaching a two-day paper marbling class in October. She was a music teacher at St. Paul Public Schools and is a great instructor. More Info The last MCBA event I want to bring forward for now is the Visual Journal Collective on August 18th. FREE. Just show up. Take the train or get there by bus, bike or drive your Chevy if you want to–Minnesota Center for Book Arts is located in downtown Mpls.
Next on the docket for this weekend is the 2nd Annual Minnesota Quilters (MQ) Studio Tour. Where do those quilters create their magic? Now you will know! The program begins at MQ HQ with Lois Haddock giving a presentation entitled, “Create your perfect quilting space.” How can you resist? Lunch on your own and then load up the car with your friends and hit the road. Knitty people allowed if accompanied by a quilter. (just kidding!!) $20 Members and $25 non-members or at the first studio. Call 612-436-0449 for details and sign up. Studio Tour Mini Road Trip
The next couple of events don’t need to be shoe-horned into the schedule in this weekend as they are around for awhile. Kristin Hoelscher-Schacker, the featured artist of this newsletter, has joined seven other fiber artists with an objective of finding opportunity to exhibit their work and raise the awareness of fiber arts. They are doing it, too! Gallery1639 in St. Paul is the venue for their first show which is called “Taste of 8”. The doors opened in late July and it runs through September 26. The group has named themselves SD8 for their common background of surface design on fabric. And there’s eight of them…go and support these women who are putting it out there. It’s one thing to make things and quite another to tell the world about them. Is it art if nobody sees it? More Info
Another interesting textile opportunity is Robin Atlas’ exhibit at Sabes Jewish Community Center in Minneapolis. It’s heavy topic but worthy of attention. Robin is a mixed media textile artist working in the genre of Visual Midrash. Midrash means to search and investigate. Robin’s recent work, Lashon Hara (the Halacic term for derogatory speech about another person; literally translated it means “evil tongue.”), explores the power of words on the spiritual realm and physical universe. Her deconstructed pieces combine hand-dyed, collaged fabric which has been both hand embroidered and machine stitched and include paper, paint, beadwork, trim and other elements. The exhibit opens August 7th and runs through September 28th. More Info
The Textile Center has any number of wonderful exhibits but the last day to see Aino Kajaniemi’s weavings is August 16th. I’ve seen it twice and brought out of town family with me. It has a good vibe. More Info
The Ryijy Rug exhibit at the American Swedish Institute is going strong. Finnish student weaver Siiri Korhonen is now a part of the exhibit lending her weaving skills using a loom set up on the exhibit floor. What a great space–I just saw it today when I met Siiri. She’ll be leading two events called Nordic Encounters on August 6th and again on the 16th. In between those dates, Siiri will be a part of the Cocktails at the Castle demonstrating ryijy making on August 7th and over the next days, she’ll be in the gallery demonstrating weaving. Sirri wraps up her gig on August 17th, but the LIving Ryijy Rug exhibit continues through November 2. More Info
All places to go and things to do that will keep your mind off the fact this is August.