The Textile & Fiber Art Fair’s organizers are pleased to announce that the regional representative of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) will participate in the Fair July 11th in Marshalltown, Iowa. SAQA will have an informational booth and display art quilts created by members. The Iowa-Minnesota SAQA Representative will be available to answer queries about art quilts and the organization too.

SAQA is a non-profit international organization founded in 1989 by an initial group of 50 artists, and now boasts over 2,400 members worldwide: artists, teachers, collectors, gallery owners, museum curators and corporate sponsors. The mission of SAQA is to promote the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development and documentation.

SAQA defines an art quilt as a contemporary artwork exploring and expressing aesthetic concerns common to the whole range of visual arts: painting, printmaking, photography, graphic design, assemblage and sculpture, which retains, through materials or technique, a clear relationship to the folk art quilt from which it descends.

Iowa and Minnesota have many members of SAQA, accomplished artisans in quilt and fiber art. The presence of SAQA at the Textile & Art Fair provides a great opportunity for artists to learn more about fiber art and about the educational and professional benefits available to members.

The Textile & Fiber Art Fair is July 11th, 9 am – 4 pm at the Fisher Art Center in Marshalltown, Iowa. There are a few booth spaces available — it’s not too late! Applications accepted through this week and the form can be found on the website.

International Year of Natural Fibre Update

The United Nations declared 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibre to bring attention to needs of farmers and producers of natural fibres worldwide. Under the UN agency, Food and Agricultural Organization, educational events are planned to broaden the knowledge of both plant and animal fibers, those who produce and the value of such fiber as a sustainable and green too. Events include fiber shows, exhibitions, conferences and more — find the complete list at the UN’s site.

Blog for Boomers

There is a blog that offers boomers really great resources and news. This blog is the “Baby Boomer Knowledge Center.” I am pleased to be a featured blogger on their site on April 21st, which falls during the blog’s “Boomer Women’s Week” running April 19-25. The week will feature seven consecutive days of articles, commentary, essays, national polls, videos and podcasts. Visit at
http://www.babyboomerknowledgecenter.com/

Textile & Fiber Art Fair July 11th

Instructors for classes during the July 11th Textile and Fiber Art Fair in Marshalltown, Iowa, will be announced next week. Details will be available at the Central Iowa Arts Association website, where you can also apply to be an exhibitor.

The Central Iowa Arts Association is pleased to announce the first

Rebecca Kemble's "Coleus Leaves"

TEXTILE & FIBER ART FAIR

Sat, July 11, 2009, 9:00 am – 4:00 PM
Fisher Art Center, Marshalltown, IA

The 2009 Textile & Fiber Art Fair at the Fisher Art Center will feature outstanding fiber and textile artists displaying their beautiful, original creations, most pieces also for sale.

The Textile & Fiber Art Fair’s exhibitors are artisans known for their creative expression in textiles. Textile and fiber art is very popular in today’s art market and encompasses a wide spectrum of style, design, and mediums. Come July 11th to the Fair and see for yourself!

* Fiber Artist booths
* Demonstrations
* Fiber art technique classes (to be listed soon)
* Free drawings for fiber art books, fabric, videos and more!

There is still booth space available for fiber artisans. Criteria and application can be accessed at http://www.centraliowaartsassociation.com/
then click “art fairs” in menu