Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend
April 21 - 22, 2017‘First City’ of the Headwaters
The word ‘headwaters’ is used a lot around here. Heading north 
and west out of Itasca before curling around in an easterly fashion, the Mississippi River flows through Lake Bemidji, giving Bemidjians an honest right to call their home the ‘First City’ on the river.
As much as this group of textile artists value self-reliance, they are also very collaborative. If they want to get something moving, they pick up the phone and make the call. The supportive arts community in the northern tier has a low barrier for putting good ideas in motion, so it’s no wonder the region is a dynamic fabric of talent.
Diverse Ecosystems and Peoples
The diverse ecosystems, of which there are three in the Bemidji area, connect the land to the people. The ancient hills give way to vistas that just fifty miles to the east, wouldn’t have seemed possible. Bemidji rides the Laurentian Divide up on the northern tier in northwest Minnesota and is known for its iconic black and red lumberjack shirts and legendary Minnesota lore.
The diverse culture in this area has a long history of indigenous peoples, voyageurs, settlers and pioneers. Commonalities include a sacred connection to the land and a strong sense of self-reliance. The textile consciousness in this region shares those values, too. More than once the phrase, “repurposing into an art form” came up in conversation around the table. Intentional sustainability restores and keeps people grounded while it also inspires innovation in northern Minnesota fiber traditions.
We welcome you to find your own creative spirit where the pines meet the prairie!
Tressa Sularz gives Keynote Textile Talk for 2nd Annual Fiber Arts Weekend
“Dancing My Way Home”
While Tressa’s work has always been organically intertwined with her life; her new work embodies a transition in her life as she mindfully and creatively faced many challenges. Her work reflects movement and transitions – from curving forms suggesting movement, embellished with earthly stones suggesting timelessness to cocoons reflecting on a time of stillness and inwardness with eventual rejuvenation. Leaving behind rattan baskets, she began to work with new techniques and materials which also transformed the scale of her work. The artist found herself dancing toward the top of life again. Local and visiting fiber enthusiasts will be inspired from her experiences as they seek meaningful connections between their experiences and their own creative expression.
Keynote Talk Info:
Location: Headwaters School of Music 519 Minnesota Ave NW Bemidji, MN 53901
Date and Time: Friday, April 21, 2017 7:00 p.m. with follow up discussion until 9:00 p.m.
Reception at Wild Hare Bistro (523 Minnesota Ave NW) : Doors Open at 5:30 p.m. Artist Reception 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tressa Sularz Artist Bio:
Tressa is a fiber artist living and working in her home studio in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota. She enjoys the challenge of manipulating these soft materials into a form, as shaping has always been a strength in various artwork she’s created. She has over 36 published designs reflecting her own unique style. Tressa’s work is seen in “Beyond Basketry”, Billie Ruth Sudduth’s book “Baskets: A Book for Makers and Collectors”, “Fiberarts Design Book 7”, “500 Baskets”, “All Things Considered VIII”. She is a featured artist in the National Basketry Organization Quarterly Review, Fall 2015. Three of her pieces are in the permanent collection of the Goldstein Gallery, University of Minnesota, and other private collections. She teaches at art centers, national basketry conferences, and similar venues, including guilds and other art related organizations.
Printable Pine to Prairie Trail Map
Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend General Info
Dates:
April 21 – 22, 2017
Hours:
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. both days
Location:
Bemidji – Solway – Turtle River – Tenstrike, Minnesota
Thanks to Wild Hare!
It is through your generous efforts hosting artists in Bemidji, that Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail will have a month-long exhibit featuring members’ work in April, 2017. Meet the artists on First Friday Art Walk in downtown Bemidji on April 6, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. We look forward to showcasing our work in your space!
Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend Activities
Open Studios, textile artist keynote talk, workshops, woolen mill tour, exhibits, demos and more!Open Studios
Bonnie Lundorff
Willow Wood Market Designs
During the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend, Bonnie will have two Make ‘n’ Take opportunities for Trail visitors. Wool Quilling – visitors can make a small flower with this simple old rug making technique. Rug Hooking with the Oxford needle – Visitors can make a small flower with a hooked center.
Eighteen years ago, Bonnie Lundorff set up shop. Willow Wood Market Designs is part quilt shop, part gathering place for small groups or really big get-togethers such as when Bonnie hosts her Harvest Festival that welcomes 1000s each September. Bonnie’s love of teaching and inspiring her customers/students to make their project their own follow Bonnie’s desire to teach and instill a love of quilting and stitching to all without judgement . Bonnie offers her own quilt applique patterns using various types of hand and commercially dyed wool. Bonnie’s shop is located just off US Hwy 71 on Hubbard County Rd 9 just south of Bemidji.
Please note: on some Google maps, the directions will take you north of Bemidji. Bonnie’s shop is on the county line between Hubbard and Beltrami Counties, south of Bemidji.
Location: 23621 Hubbard County Road 9, Bemidji, Minnesota 56601 Contact Info
Carrie Jessen
Bear Den Handwovens
Carrie Jessen weaves (and sells) large blankets using the colors and traditional and colonial weave structures that were often used during the 18th and 19th centuries. She and her husband enjoy history and participate in fur trade reenactments, so this time period manifests itself in Carrie’s work quite often, but not all the time. Carrie enjoys the anticipation of starting new project, see it develop on the loom and then see the completed piece after it has been fulled. (This area has history of voyageur settlements near Lake Bemidji dating back to the mid 1700’s.)
During the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend, visit Carrie in her studio where she has two large floor looms set up. Carrie will share the history behind the blankets whe weaves and will have blankets for sale.
Location: 3360 Centerline Road Solway, Minnesota 56678 Please note: Carrie’s studio is located south of US Hwy 2 on Centerline Road. It’s on the left as you’re driving west out of Bemidji.
Patty Lovegreen
Weaver and Felt Maker
Patty Lovegreen is a weaver, felt maker and bead worker. Contemporary design in weaving and tapestry using color and texture to describe a moment in time. Her work is available through the Minnesota Weavers Guild, Living Felt Magazine, Gallery North in Bemidji and Watermark Art Center shop.
During the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend, Patty will share studio space with Carrie Jessen. Patty will demonstrate her work and will have weaving and felted pieces for sale.
Location: 3360 Centerline Road Solway, Minnesota 56678. Please note, the studio location is south of US Hwy 2 on Centerline Road. As you drive west out of Bemidji, turn left on Centerline Road.
Kristin Majkrzak
Two Eyes Weaving Studio
When asked ‘what about medium of fiber appeals to you’, Weaver Kristin Majkrzak replied texture, color and the way light bounces off fiber. It has a dimensionality other mediums don’t have. Tapestry weaving is Kristin’s first love because the limitations of the warp grid encourage creativity the way form does in poetry. Taking daily walks provides Kristin with an endless amount of source material from the natural world’s own geometry, color combinations, shape and illusions. Kristin’s studio is located in downtown Bemidji.
Kristin will have hands-on floor looms, table looms, tapestry looms, and inkle looms set up so people can get a feel for what weaving is all about. She will have her largest loom set up to weave a rug as a group project using old T-shirts. She will pre-cut the shirts into loops that can be hooked together in whatever order people choose. Anyone who participates in the weaving of the rug can enter their name in a drawing, and at the end of the event, the person whose name is drawn will get the rug. Kristin will also have information about upcoming classes.
Location: 504 Beltrami Ave, Bemidji, Minnesota 56601
Keila McCracken
Bare Cloth
During the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend, Bare Cloth hosts its official Grand Opening! Bare Cloth will be hosting a Trail Tree Weave in Turtle River. Stop by to learn about the Hattersley loom, sustainable wardrobes and participate in the Tree Weave! Two trees have been warped in preparation for you to come and weave yarn and fabric into this community art piece. Take a picture of your work or yourself by the tree, post it to social media and follow the trails hashtag to see the weave evolve over the weekend! This tree weave will be kept up for at least a year, welcoming visitors to Bare Cloth and holding the stories of all of the visitors that participated during the Pine To Prairie 2017 trail!
Keila McCracken, who is from Bemidji, went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and upon graduation came back with a clear dream of making her mark. Focusing her fashion and design efforts on sustainability, Keila uses fiber resources that are native to the area. Wool and alpaca from local herds, eco-dyeing with native plant material and fashion design that outfits the local culture and keeping the weather in mind; which plays a big role in what people wear around here! Keila started the Northern Minnesota Fibershed project for people to use as a resource of best practices by local farmers and people who are interested in sustainability and replenishment. Keila also launched a successful KickStarter campaign to bring a Hattersley Loom to Bemidji from Scotland. Keila plans to use the loom to weave fabric which she will use in her clothing design.
Location: 364 Main Ave Turtle River, Minnesota 56601
Eve Sumsky
Basket weaver, maker of small woven jewelry
One thing that always seemed important to Eve Sumsky is that the item should have a use or a purpose. Basket weaving makes a great deal of sense to Eve as it gives her the opportunity to create something not only beautiful but that can be used. As a basket weaver Eve enjoys exploring the different techniques of weaving, the variety of materials that can be used, and the old styles of baskets made in the past. From this she can create containers that fit my goal of beauty and usefulness. The more Eve weaves and masters her craft in the traditional styles and techniques of basketry, the easier it becomes for her to let creativity take over and weave ‘new’ baskets using the old ways.
During the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend, Eve will have baskets for sale and a work-in-progress piece for visitors who would like to give basket weaving a try!
Location: 481 Lake Ave NW Tenstrike, Minnesota 56683
Workshops and Maker Sessions
Maker Session at Willow Wood Market
Stop in, roll up your sleeves and take some time to make a small fiber arts project of your own.
Pull up a chair to the big table in Bonnie’s cabin studio. During the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend, Bonnie will have two Make ‘n’ Take opportunities for Trail visitors. Wool Quilling – make a small flower with this simple old rug making technique. Rug Hooking with the Oxford needle – make a small flower with a hooked center.
Willow Wood Market Designs is located south of Bemidji on Hwy 71. Then turn west on Hubbard Cty Rd 9.
Split Ash Basketry Class with Clyde Estey
Clyde Estey will lead this one and a half day introductory workshop featuring the weaving techniques of split ash basketry. April 21, 2017 from 9:00 – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 9:00 – noon at Headwaters School of Music (519 Minnesota Ave downtown Bemidji). Participants must be present both days. Class fee is $50.00 and materials fee is $35.00.
Pre-register by April 20, 2017 at www.watermarkartcenter.org
Quill Work Class with Betsy May
Make quill work earrings with Betsy May.
Students will create a pair of earrings using traditional quill and bead techniques in a workshop led by Betsy May. April 22, 2017 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Headwaters School of Music (519 Minnesota Ave downtown Bemidji). Class fee is $30.00 with a materials fee of $25.00.
Pre-register by April 20, 2017 at www.watermarkartcenter.org
All Day Open Workshop 'On the Surface'
Make your own collage at this drop-in maker session.
Karen Goulet will host an open workshop session titled ‘On the Surface’ for artists and trail visitors interested in experimenting with assemblage and mixed media materials. Participants are encouraged to bring items of their own for creating a meaningful work of art. Come and go anytime between 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on April 22, 2017 at Headwaters School of Music (519 Minnesota Ave in downtown Bemidji).
No fee or pre-registration.
Exhibits and Tours
FEATURED EXHIBIT AT WATERMARK ART CENTER
Beadwork with Tom Stillday
The traditional and contemporary beadwork of Tom Stillday will be featured at Watermark Art Center throughout the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend. Stop in and chat with Tom, learn about his beadwork and enjoy beautiful art.
April 21 – 22, 2017 10:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Artist Statement:
I was born to bead. From a very early age I traveled to powwows with my family and was always checking out other peoples beadwork and had a burning desire inside me to create and design my own work. I come from a family of beading artists who taught me how to sew and bead with great pride, good feelings and to create the best work that I am able to do. Still to this day I travel all over to powwows to see what is new, what is out there, who is using colors in interesting ways and for myself to see if I can match or top these other beading artists who are on the powwow trail. My lazy stitch was starting to look dull compared to other artists so I have switched my beading techniques to applique flatwork to challenge myself to be producing some of the best beadwork out there. I am constantly pushing myself as an artist to design distinctive Ojibwe patterns that let others know my tribal affiliation through my beadwork. I am proud to represent my culture.
Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail Members' Exhibit at Wild Hare Bistro
Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail Members Exhibit in April, 2017
Stop in and see the Members’ exhibit at Wild Hare Bistro. The show will be up for the entire month of April. Meet the artists on First Friday Art Walk in downtown Bemidji on April 6, 2017 between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Bemidji Woolen Mill Tours!
Tours are Friday, April 21, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Bemidji Woolen Mills made the iconic red and black buffalo plaid lumberjack shirt famous. Almost 100 years old, the woolen mill has been a cornerstone to the community and is now in the hands of the 4th generation of the Batchelder family. During the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Weekend, Bemidji Woolen Mills is offering two special tour times led by Bill Batchelder. Friday, April 21, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. No need for reservation. Please arrive 15 minutes early for the tour.
Baskets and Beads: Weaving Traditions Exhibit
While you’re in Bemdiji for the weekend, be sure to see the beautifully restored railroad depot in downtown Bemidji. BCHS has an on-going exhibit called “Baskets and Beads: Weaving Traditions” that features Ojibwe wicker and sweetgrass baskets, cedar bark mats, beaded bags, Wakashan (Nootka/Makah – Northwest Coast ) trinket baskets, Hupa ( California ) woven hats, Paiute (Plains) beaded baskets, and more! Hours: Noon – 4 p.m. Admission fee to the museum.
Thank you to our Sponsors and Region 2 Arts Council!
Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail Featured Sponsor!
Thank you to Paul Bunyan Communications
For their support of the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail Spring, 2017 Studio Tour and for supporting community-based artists in Northern Minnesota!
A special thanks to Cindy and Visit Bemidji for all her suggestions and promotional assistance. Thank you Cindy!! Visit Bemidji
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Contact us here.
The mission of Midwest Fiber Arts Trails is to honor the Midwest’s rich textile heritage and celebrate and promote the work of contemporary fiber artists.
Address: 229 Minnetonka Ave S #181 Wayzata, MN 55391 • Phone : 612.961.1601 • Email: jennifer@fiberartalmanac.com