Category Archives: Fiber

5 Ways to Turn Fashion into Art

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by Allie Waller

As a Style Guru for College Fashionista (www.collegefashionista.com), I am constantly on the search for college students who wear their outfits like pieces of artwork.  Here are five fashionistas who I spotted this semester that show us how to turn simple accessories into unique masterpieces.

1. Accessories From Around The World      

Ava, a senior at James Madison University, loves wearing accessories from America to Vietnam and Thailand.  She bought this one-of-a-kind book bag in Vietnam, and is wearing an assortment of colorful bracelets from Thailand.

When you travel, keep an eye out for accessories that speak to you, and you’ll be able to create a truly eclectic look.

2. Bold Gold

Taylor, a sophomore at James Madison University, isn’t afraid to show off her hands and wrists with an array of gold jewelry.  Wherever you’re shopping, be on the lookout for watches, bangles, and unique rings.  Your hands and wrists are your greatest palette; so don’t be afraid to spice them up with bold jewelry.

3.  Thrifty Finds

Amanda, a junior at James Madison University, loves picking up unique pieces at thrift shops and yard sales. She shows us how someone’s trash can be another person’s treasure.  Take a day to shop around at thrift shops, and you’ll be able to create a truly unique look.

4. Color Combining

Summer, a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University, shows us that there’s no such thing as clashing colors anymore.  Don’t be afraid to pair bold colors with other bold colors.  Fill your closet with brights, neons, and pastels!

5.  Denim Diva

It’s official–denim has made a comeback!  Cassandra, a junior at James Madison University, shows us how easily denim can be turned from casual to chic with the addition of a few accessories.  Keep an eye out for denim shirts, vests, and accessories.

Think you have a knack for fashion? Why not make your own bag, knit your own accessories, or channel your artistic skills to make gorgeous items for you or your home!  VisArts has a ton of classes to help spark your creativity! Check out some of these classes or try your hand at making jewelry!

 

About the Blogger:
Allie is currently a sophomore at James Madison University majoring in Media Arts and Design with a minor in Communications.  She plans to get her masters in advertising and work in an advertising or public relations firm as an account manager or in strategic planning. Look for more from Allie as she interns at VisArts this summer. 

 

5 Reasons to Volunteer at VisArts

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with Emily Fox, VCU class of 2013

Over the last few months I have been volunteering some of my time to help around at VisArts.  Like all new experiences, volunteering here has taught me a few things about The Visual Arts Center of Richmond and volunteering.

Here are five things you might get out of volunteering at VisArts:

 1. Meet new people

At school or at work you’re generally surrounded by people like you, who have similar interests and similar motivators.  Volunteering at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond you get a chance to meet a diverse group of people who have had different experiences than you. Volunteering here has given me the chance to get to know people who I would not normally cross paths with. At Craft +Design Show I worked with a woman who was much older than I and had some stories to tell.  It was refreshing to talk to her and get a different perspective on daily observations.  Volunteering gave me the opportunity to learn something new from her and the other volunteers who, although being very different from each other, have all been driven to creativity and the want to help others be creative.

2. Help the Community

Volunteering at VisArts is a great reminder that it is a non-profit and a lot of things cannot be done without the help of volunteers.  For the most part all the work that I have done at VisArts has been in the background, in the office, but even though I am not directly working with the children in the outreach programs, I can see how my work is making a difference. It might just be office work but I can see how even a volunteer at VisArts becomes a part of the team working toward the end goal of giving children a safe place to express themselves.

3. Get to know VisArts

Volunteering at VisArts has given me a chance to really get to know the place and the people here and learn more about the good work they do for others in our community.  While volunteering at the Craft + Design Show, I was able to walk through the exhibits of artists from around the country and from right here in Richmond. I was able to see some of the amazing work from the VisArts’ instructors; a sampling of what they teach in their classes, and I was really inspired by their work.  Getting a taste of VisArts by volunteering at an event showed me what can be created here and has inspired me to take a class.

 4. Stay Busy

Every now and then I have some free time to spare, when relaxing I often feel that I could probably be doing something better with this free time.  Volunteering at VisArts is a great way for me to feel productive when I have some down time.  It keeps me busy but without all the stress that can come from school or work. It gives me a chance to think about something else other than school and a time to get to know new people; it’s a chance for me to feel productive where I know the help is needed.

5. Gain Experience

As a soon-to-be college graduate, I am often told that having ‘previous experience’ will really help out when entering the job market. Volunteering with VisArts to work on event flyers, the website and social media has given me the experience I need when applying to jobs in the future.

I recommend volunteering at VisArts to anyone wanting a fun, stress-free way to support your community and the arts while enjoying the company of a diverse group of people in a vibrant environment.

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Emily Fox is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University studying Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. She has been volunteering and interning at VisArts since September.

 

 

 

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Classes that Landed on Emily’s Bucket List

1. Introduction to black & white darkroom photography

2. Introduction to letterpress printing

3. Adobe photoshop, illustrator, and indesign- creative combination

It Takes a Village

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with Caroline Wright, Director of Exhibition Programming

Our exhibitions focus on innovative materials and processes—an appropriate mission for a gallery surrounded by studio classrooms where students learn many ways to make art.   This month massive weavings by Richmond artist Andrea Donnelly fill the True F. Luck Gallery, inspiring visitors of all ages. We’ve been planning for over a year to create the installation and educational materials for this exhibition (on view through Sunday, October 21).  Meet the team of local, creative talent that joined forces with me to present ANDREA DONNELLY: Where We Meet.

the artist

Andrea Donnelly is a 2010 graduate of VCU’s Craft/Material Studies (Fiber) department.  Her labor intensive process involves dying her fibers and hand painting patterns and images on the warp (perpendicular threads) before weaving the cloth.  In addition to exhibiting her work in our gallery, Andrea will also have a booth at our upcoming Craft+Design Show where she will sell luxurious handmade scarves she creates for her small business, Little Fool Textiles.   Learn more about Andrea’s work at andreadonnelly.com

 the filmmaker

Harrison Moenich, a recent VCU graduate, created the documentary film that accompanies this exhibition.  He shot the film in Andrea’s studio on Cary Street as she made two works for our exhibition. Watch the film here to learn more about Donnelly’s innovative approaches to weaving:

 Learn more about Harrison and his work at cargocollective.com/moenich

the photographer

David Hunter Hale, also a VCU graduate, photographed Donnelly in her studio over the summer months to capture in detail Donnelly’s extensive process.  His photographs (including the installation shot above) appear in the printed adult and youth gallery guides and press materials.  See more of David’s work at davidhunterhale.com

 

the designers

Scout Design created all of the print materials for this exhibition—the invitation, the gallery guide for adults, and the Engage guide for children.  Owners/designers Angeline Robertson and Charley Foley have transformed our gallery collateral over the past year.  Learn more about Scout Design at stateofscout.com/index-previous.html

 

the installation crew

Last week the VMFA posted on our Facebook page “this installation is dreamlike.”  We agree.  Robert Barrientes, our Exhibitions Manager, built a custom platform and hanging shelf for Peer, hanging equipment for The Veiling I, II, and III and Body Blot #3, and the curved ENGAGE hands-on station.  Donnelly spent weeks in the gallery hanging, sewing seams, and steaming the installation to perfection alongside the skilled and helpful hands of Colleen Freeman, Jordan Matthews, Emilie Mulcahey, Meg Roberts, and Nicki Stein.


image: Peer, 2012, handwoven cotton, dyed and painted with dye, 144” x 204”

As a community art center, we’re grateful for the community of artists who help us present educational exhibitions to the public.  As the gallery director, I’m grateful for this team I’m lucky to work with time and time again.  Stop by to see our collective effort. Visit ANDREA DONNELLY: Where We Meet before it closes on Sunday, October 21


VisArts’ True F. Luck Gallery is free to the public and open seven days a week: Monday – Friday from 9AM to 9PM, Saturday from 10AM – 4 PM and Sunday from 1PM – 4PM.   We offer educational opportunities through our gallery for adults and for children.  Learn more at visarts.org/exhibitions

5 Books to Motivate Artists

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Jordan Roeder

by Jordan Roeder

I have a problem with buying and collecting books. Even if I only read them once or just like to look through them for ideas or if I use them for collages…I can’t get rid of them.  These are a few of my absolute favorites. Some get me inspired while some just get me feeling more motivated and ready to keep working.

 

 

 

 

1. Magical Secrets about Thinking Creatively by Kathan Brown

This amazing book released by Crown Pointe Press is great for printmakers but is surprisingly inspiring for artists working in any medium. Each chapter is devoted to a different idea to apply to your work and have titles like “Know What You Don’t Want” or “Use Every Tool”.  Every chapter presents an idea like this and ties it to a contemporary printmaker who used it in their work at Crown Point. I’ve read this book cover to cover at least 10 times.

 2. Modern Artists on Art: A collection of essays edited by Robert L. Herbert.

This is one of those classic books that some teachers make you read in college but it is really a fantastic book.  Each essay is written by an artist who was a major figure of their movement like Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky. Though it focuses solely on modern art, the ways in which each artist thinks about their craft and process is inspiring to me and gives me insight on my own work.

 

 

 

3. The Accidental Masterpiece: On the Art of Life and Vice Versa by Michael Kimmelman

This was an unexpected find. I found this book by chance at one of those discount book fairs and I can’t tell you how many times I have read it.  The book presents different non-fiction stories in each chapter about a non-traditional artist and their “work”.  These have fantastic titles like “The Art of Making Art Without Lifting a Finger” or “The Art of Collecting Light Bulbs”.  Some chapters tell stories about famous artists like Pierre Bonnard and the relationships with is wife Marthe who was also his muse for the duration of his career. Other chapters tell us stories of artists who would never label themselves as such: like the Antarctic explorer who photographed one of the most horrific of the early voyages to the South Pole. Each chapter leaves you feeling inspired to not just approach your work with new thoughtfulness but to attempt to do as these artists did and live your life as if it were your art.

4. ART/WORK: Everything You Need to Know (And Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career by Heather Darcy Bhandari & Jonathan Melber

I was given this book during college. I expected this to be either redundant or simply not useful but it was actually very helpful. It describes the various ways to connect yourself to your Art Community and how to present yourself professionally. Chapters cover everything from setting up a website to resumes to legal agreements.  Throughout the book art professionals and artists give bits of wisdom. A great book for somebody just starting out or in art school.

 5. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

This is an oldie but a goodie. I was actually given this in high school by an amazing teacher who really pushed me as a student and artist. The letters within it are wonderfully articulate and personal and describe an unexpected (and very real) correspondence between Rilke and the “young poet”.  The relationship grows throughout the book and the discussions they have are a continuous inspiration to me. Even Rilke has admitted that this series of letters was one of his masterpieces.

 

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About the Artist

Originally from Minnesota, Jordan attended VCU where she received her B.F.A in painting and printmaking. Though her emphasis in college was in painting, her true love is printmaking, and her preferred medium is etching.

She continues to create work here in Richmond and has exhibited in local shows.  Most recently her work was a part of the Center for Contemporary Printmaking’s Miniature Print Biennial.

Currently Jordan is taking a VisArts letterpress class and setting up her studio at her new home in the museum district.  Jordan has been with the Visual Arts Center of Richmond since spring of this year.  You can find her at the front desk most afternoons registering students for classes and cheerfully assisting VisArts’ guests.     http://www.jordanroederart.com/

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VisArts Classes

Letterpress Greeting Cards

Students will explore letterpress and relief printing to develop their own greeting cards or stationery. Come to class with an idea of what text you would like to include in your card or stationery and we will explore layout, type setting and printing in this workshop.

2 Saturdays
October 27 & November 3
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, each day

Learn more.

Letterpress Stationery and Salutations

Learn how to hand-set type and print on our Challenge Proofing Press. Combine text and image to design and create your customized stationery – cards, letterhead and more! You’ll learn the basics of letterpress printing including a tutorial of setting type, the general mechanics of the press, inking and printing on the press.

6 Thursdays
November 1 – December 13 (No class November 22)
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Learn more.

Member Duo Praise VisArts Experience

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VisArts member Nancy Alpine submitted this post about the joy she and daughter Allie Stough have found through their classes:

“When my daughter was in high school I talked her into taking a class with me at the Visual Arts Center. Little did I know how that would lead her to major in art and allow us to spend many fun hours learning art together.

“I had always wanted to know how to make rag rugs – the kind I remember my grandmother having in her home. When I saw a class for Rug Hooking taught by Mary Henke I thought I had found the place to learn how to make them. Reluctantly, Allie agreed to take the class. However, these were traditional hooked wool rugs, not rag rugs. We both began work on a sampler rug. Her reluctance turned into utter enthusiasm finishing her sampler and mine as well! She has been creating rugs ever since. She joined the Shockoe Slip Rug Hookers Guild, attending many workshops and hook-ins.  Two of her rugs have been published in Rug Hooking Magazine and the Association of Traditional Hooking Artists Newsletter. Who knew?

“But that was just the beginning of many classes and hours of fun at the Visual Arts Center. Once Allie decided to major in art, her professor Michelle Delano at Richard Bland College advised her to take classes and expose herself to many different media. What better place than where it all began? Together we have explored a variety of classes and workshops. It has turned into the most rewarding and bonding mother/daughter experience for me as well as a wonderful learning experience for us both. I can hardly wait for the class list to be published each season so I can see the new offerings. In October we decided to try the Masks and Margaritas workshop. What a fun evening – layering our faces with petroleum jelly and casting plaster to create our own images! An adventurous evening for this Mom!

“Over the past few years we have tried pottery – Allie getting into throwing on the wheel and me the hand building, printmaking and silk screening – making framed prints and stationery as well as screening tote bags and napkins. Making hand-made books has been a favorite – Allie incorporating her hooking into covers for her books. We have dabbled in weaving, jewelry, sculpture, dyeing scarves, illustrating children’s books and drawing. One of our favorite activities is to attend Art and Coffee when time allows. The topics are so enriching. At one of the sessions we listened to Nancy Ross Hugo and Dr. Jeffrey Kirwan discuss their book Remarkable Trees of Virginia. We bought the book and have taken many short trips to visit some of the trees in person.

“Allie is now a senior at Christopher Newport University majoring in art education. The Visual Arts Center has been influential in her decision to teach art. For me it is a place where I can explore my creative side and enjoy some relaxation and family time. The Visual Arts Center has so much to offer and Richmond is so lucky to have this gem.”

 

Every Day’s a Good Day to Dye

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Last week we happened onto a chance to join a special workshop in the fiber studio. As two of the three most fiber-fiendish staffers, how could we refuse? Instructor Maripat Hyatt had spread a table with silk scarves and implements to block their dyeing. Shibori is the Japanese term for tie-dye, and that’s what we did, with stitches, rubber bands, dowels and tongue depressors. What fun! Then we moved to the dye table and applied the color. Into the microwave went the silks for setting, and in the mean time, we practiced a little silk painting. Both of these techniques are offered in upcoming classes in the VisArts winter-spring schedule! We unwrapped our dyed fabrics, ironed them dry, and here are the results ~ [Registrar Shannon Fuller and Maggi Tinsley]

C+D Artist – Fiber: Lynn Yarrington

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Lynn Yarrington’s connection with weaving and fabric design stems from generations of weavers rooted in England, branching out through the hands of her great-grandfather to those of her grandfather, who came to this country as a teenager, and then on to his son, her father, a designer, stylist and colorist. In l978 Lynn planted these seeds in her own business in New Haven, Vermont.  Her work has been featured in museums and galleries arond the country, including the American Craft Museum.  Lynn will be located at Booth 58 during the Craft + Design Show on Nov. 20-21.

C+D Artist – Fiber: Sheree and Ken Sorrells

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Sheree and Ken Sorrells of Waynesville, NC have created an original variation of the traditional painted floorcloth.  They use fabric collage protected by their formula finish applied in multiple layers on each side of every piece. Sheree and Ken’s masterful sense of color is coupled with whimsical graphic designs to create a piece that is durable and fun.  During the Craft + Design Show on Nov. 20-21, they will be located at Booth 23.

C+D Artist – Fiber: Anna Shapiro

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Anna Shapiro’s refreshing non-traditional designs drape effortlessly over the shoulders. Styles range from elegant to eclectic and can be worn for a day at the beach or a black tie event. Each piece is created through original patterns and unconventional techniques on a manual knitting machine.  Her favorite fiber to work with is bamboo because of its soft texture and eco-friendly attributes.  When it comes to the art of adornment, she believes there is beauty in function and function in beauty. Anna, who resides in Providence, RI, obtained her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2001, and she was the founder of Annaesthetic.  She will be located at Booth 28 during the Craft + Design Show on Nov. 20-21.

C+D Artist – Fiber: K. Riley

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K. Riley, from Haverton, PA, explores her interests in fashion and fabrics through her line of handpainted silk clothing. Painting, appliqué, stitching and beading are some of the many techniques she employs to develop each piece.  She explains her inspiration and creations: “Historic clothing evokes a memory not only of the one who wore it, but even more of the human hand that created each stitch. My aim is to offer this sort of handwork in a contemporary piece.”  During the Craft + Design Show on Nov. 20-21, K. will be located at Booth 24.