A show and sale of textile art by the 12 members of Fibres & Beyond begins at South Shore Gallery on November 2.
“We chose the title Roots, Seeds, and Circles for this show and we will all produce two challenge pieces that relate to that theme. Although this analysis of the title came after its acceptance it does seem apt – as we all have our Roots in textile art. The opening reception of “Dragonfly on the Pond,” an invitational show at South Shore Gallery in October 2002, was the Seed from which the group Fibres & Beyond grew. And here we have come full Circle with another show at South Shore Gallery 12 years later,” said Elizabeth Tanner.
“Four of the artists in ‘Dragonfly on the Pond’ are still in the group, others caught the excitement the day of the opening and were at our first meeting over lunch at Mom’s Cafe on take-down day. By the end of that lunch we had decided to have a spring show the next year at lily time in the heritage St. Mary’s Church, Metchosin.
“Over the years our membership has changed from 15 artists in the first ‘Consider the Lilies’ to the 12 artists who will show this fall. Of the 15, eight are continuing members and four have joined as others left. Twelve seems our perfect compliment. Our newest member is Stephanie Saleem and this will be her first show with Fibres & Beyond.
“Although our group name has changed from Friends in Fibre, to Uncommon Threads, to Fibres & Beyond we affectionately refer to ourselves as ‘The Lilies’ referencing our yearly show Consider the Lilies. Most years we have done a second show in the fall and three of these, ‘Wear Your Art,’ ‘Art to Wear”’Oct. 2004, ‘Filamentary’ Oct. 2006, ‘Never at a Loss for Words’ Oct. 2008, have been at South Shore Gallery. One memorable year we were guest artists at the Filberg Festival. It has been quite a journey to once again circle back to a fall show at South Shore Gallery,” said Tanner.
Stephanie Saleem, has been introduced to art and craft work at an early age, inspired and nurtured by her family. She graduated as a certified Soft-Furnishing Seamstress and her love of hats lead her to take up a position as Model Milliner in the work rooms of Stephen Jones in London, England. His collections as well as London and Paris fashion shows offered a huge store of creativity and learning.
Her own designs have enhanced numerous weddings, coming up with just the right finishing touch. A couple of Stephanie’s favorite mediums are wool and beads. Having been introduced to felt making several years ago she has since explored many of its diversities and found a lot of inspiration in creating adornments for the house hold as well as hats, accessories and jewelry.
Joining the Fibres & Beyond group this year encouraged Stephanie to explore moving into the direction of two and three-dimensional wall art. Lately more and more of her inspiration is coming from nature right outside her doorstep.
The details:
Roots, Seeds and Circles
Nov 2 – 30, 2013
South Shore Gallery, 2046 Otter Point Rd, Sooke
Info: 250-642-2058
www.fibresandbeyond.com
Gallery hours:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat.