March 2023 meeting notes

 

Laramie Art Quilters Meeting Notes for March 18, 2023

Debbie and Ronda provided and coffee for the meeting. Thanks!

Brett reported that we have $1,264.95 in our checking account right now.

Ronda updated us on the quilt she donated to the Hospice fundraiser in February. Apparently our request for a $250 minimum bid wasn’t received, but Ronda spoke to the organizers and had it raised to that amount. The final bid was $300. In our ensuing discussion, we realized that this event was not Hospice’s main fundraiser for the year. We will know next time to do better research.

Mary K reported on the meeting that she and Barbara had with Bob Moore of the SOK Gallery. Mary made a sketch of the floor plan and noted the availability of tables, pedestals and shelves that we could use. The cost will be $75 for Thursday set-up, and $100 each for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Bob does not charge a commission, nor does he provide insurance for the contents of the building that aren’t his. So we should check with our own home owners insurance about coverage for our pieces. Barbara will draft an agreement with SOK.

Barbara has asked Ashley to recommend an outside juror, and will ask Sharon Cumbie if she would be willing to curate the show (as she did for our shows at ArtConnect). [Upate: Sharon has agree to do this for us.]  We have a student graphic arts minor lined up to design our poster. She can have it done by June 15. In the meantime, Mary K can take photographs in May. We can begin publicity even before we have a poster and postcards. Barbara will set up an LAQ Instagram account. Jodie can help link it to Facebook.

We then switched gears and shared around the table our favorite technique of the moment. (Sorry I didn’t take better notes of what everyone said!) Christi’s complex technique of hand-carding, spinning and dyeing wool to make an amazing weaving that represented changing temperatures over the past 100 years reminded us of the question we often get asked: “How long it it take you to make that?” We considered including that information for the pieces we will enter in our August show.

Mary K then reviewed a variety of finishing and hanging techniques, including mounting small textiles on a wrapped canvas and creating hanging sleeves. She also mentioned using slats from Venetian blinds or tension rods rather than wood slats for lightweight items.

Barbara passed around a sign-up sheet for members to list the pieces they intend to enter in the show. While that went around, we brainstormed ideas for naming the show. What emerged most strongly was an emphasis on THREAD as the core idea. We’ll continue to play with titles in the next couple of months.

Debbie Gorski took numerous photos of our show and tell. I will post them on the blog.

Our next meeting is scheduled for April 15 at the Extension building. Thanks, Ronda, for securing this space for us.