Don’t forget – the entry deadline for CHH’s juried exhibit “Material Matrix” is August 2, 2010. As a courtesy to our jurors and to the gallery owner, we will strictly enforce the entry deadline. All entries MUST be postmarked by August 2 to be eligible. NO EXCEPTIONS.
We want to celebrate CHH’s 60th anniversary in grand style by showing off for our city and our state. Let’s show Texas how much talent, creativity, artistry, and fine craftsmanship is out there in our fiber community. This show is intended to illustrate the evolution and diversity of our craft. We want to exhibit a wide variety of techniques and styles and encourage everyone to submit entries. We want everything from traditional, functional textiles to unusual, contemporary art pieces.
Go to CHH’s website, www.weavehouston.org, and click on the “Juried Show” tab to get the Call for Entries and the entry form (or go directly HERE). I encourage you to look at these documents NOW. If you have questions about your entries, you do not want to wait until the last minute to ask them!!!
I’ve been asked about the 2-D and 3-D categories. Functional items, such as towels and runners, and accessories, such as scarves and shawls, would be considered 2-D entries. Garments, hats, jewelry, and sculptural pieces would be considered 3-D. If you don’t know how to categorize a piece, email or call Laura Viada and ask.
If you weave functional textiles or accessories, you probably aren’t used to preparing them for display in a gallery, so here are a few tips. Generally, these items will be hung on the wall or suspended from the ceiling. Hangers can be purchased fairly inexpensively from import shops like Pier One. In Houston, Ten Thousand Villages, in Rice Village has very nice hangers. The way I usually prepare fabric for hanging on the wall is to use Velcro – the kind that’s sticky on the hook side, but not on the loop side. I stitch the loop side to the back of the fabric. Then stick the hook side to a flat piece of wood and put screw-eyes in the ends of the wood. The wood piece can then be nailed to the wall or suspended from the ceiling with fishing line, and the fabric can be easily attached and detached with the Velcro. It’s inexpensive, easy to do, and looks nice.
Another thing to consider is drawing attention to your item by making it larger or smaller than you usually would. For example, instead of weaving a shawl, weave yardage that can be suspended from the ceiling – use the exact same yarn and weave structure, just make it longer. After the show, you can always cut it and make several shawls!! Or weave a miniature towel and put it in a frame. If you need suggestions or want to brainstorm your ideas, feel free to contact me.
It would be an absolutely wonderful celebration of CHH’s 60th anniversary, and of our fabulous fiber community if everyone would submit at least one entry. Questons? Don’t hesitate to ask!!
Laura Viada
713-667-8717
Lhviada@earthlink.net