Welcome to New Regional Co-Reps

I'd like to give a big shout-out to our two outgoing regional reps, Cindy Parry and Cindy Brendel who have worked so tirelessly to expand our regional activities and regional exhibition program over the past couple of years.  

Thanks in large part to their efforts organizing the exhibition of our 12x12 quilts before sending them to auction, this year our region KS/MO/OK had the most auction submissions from a medium sized region.  Thanks to everyone for donating to the auction!!

And now a big welcome to our new incoming regional reps,  Rhonda Denney and Susan Stevenson.  Thank you so much ladies for stepping up to help SAQA in this capacity!  Hooray!

Exhibition Catalogs available online

Thanks to a new initiative by SAQA,  our regional exhibition catalogs are now available online!  You can flip through them below.

Meeting minutes, February 15

We had a houseful (18) SAQA members attend the studio tour at Cindy Brendzel's on February 15, 2020.  

On entering, CB logged all incoming auction quilts

After welcomes to visitors and new members to our region, we did introductions.  

CParry reminded all that we will need new region reps because the Cindy's are stepping down mid-2020.

CParry gave a quick reminder that the auction pieces were going to hang on March 1 at the Shirley Stiles Gallery in Westwood, KS for the month of March with thanks to CBrendzel and KHansen for handling that exhibit.

CParry and CBrendzel reminded all about the IUAH exhibit and informed the group that IUAH has changed some of the exhibit guidelines; now only wanting art that is 12x12, now a $10 fee for entry, and we now will be sharing the exhibit space with other artists and media.  An email had gone out a few days earlier about the changes.  The IUAH exhibit will be for the month of May.  CParry will pick them up at IUAH at the end of the exhibit and send auction pieces to SAQA and return the other pieces with CB's help when she returns from QSDS.

CParry gave an update about delightfull exhibit - It has been shipped to Indiana and is currently hanging until early May. It will then be driven immediately to Albert Kemper by the Cindy's.

Maria Shell, a SAQA artist from Anchorage will be holding a workshop on May 23 from 10-1 at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church.  The SAQA store is open and ready for sign ups at saqa.com

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We then worked with the SAQA trunk show pieces separating into two rooms each with half the work to view the pieces and decide which 3 would be placed first thru third in a show and why.  It is interesting to see which group choose which piece and why.  There was a little overlap, not much but some good discussion.  All seemed to feel it was a good and interesting exercise.

We then had show and share as usual and as usual, there was some amazing work shared and we learned a new technique for attaching wire/slats (thanks Marge Banks).  Claudia shared that she prints on fabric by fusing Wonder Under to white or lightly printed fabric and running one sheet at a time through her printer.  (thanks Claudia)  

The exact next meeting has not been determined -- either June 13 or 20th and will be a studio tour at Cindy Parry's.  See next newsletter (late May) for info.

Door prizes drawings were held.  Winners:  Michelle Dowdell and Karen Hansen.

Exhibition of 12 x 12s and other art quilts: Submit Soon!

Once again, we have been invited to exhibit our SAQA auction 12x12s prior to sending them to SAQA.  In addition, at one of the exhibitions, there will be space for additional pieces.  Please read Cindy B's information below and don't miss this great opportunity.

Are you working on your 12x12 SAQA auction pieces? For all the first-timers, these are to be 12x12 pieces (that's inches!) on any theme you choose. These are small, comparatively fast and easy! You may make ONE piece destined for the auction. This piece, if gotten to Cindy Brendzel by Feb 10, 2020, will exhibit for the entire month of March at the Shirley Stiles Gallery in Westwood, MO. In the past, we’ve exhibited there in February. We were given an option to change our month to a longer one! (every extra exposure day is good, right?) J We grabbed it to give more exposure for our region members. IF there is room and you make a 12x12 NOT intended for auction, we may include it in the exhibit as either a display piece only OR as a ‘for sale’ piece. All pieces must have labels AND 2” wide sleeves which are set in ½” from edges and from top. Ideally, your 2nd piece, if you choose to provide one, has not been exhibited here before.

Please note that this year, the 12x12's will be managed by Cindy Brendzel and her TBD assistant. Please contact her if you wish to help or have any questions. Her email is cbren588@gmail.com and her address is 10408 Grant Lane, Overland Park, KS 66212. Deadline is Feb 10. Earlier is better! IF you are local, you may also bring your 12x12(s) to the region meeting being held at her house Feb. 15.

When you ship/turn in your piece to Cindy B., PLEASE be sure to INCLUDE:

a) brief artist statement about the piece for gallery book
b) short bio for gallery book including contact info
c) title of piece
d) NSF or sale price
e) is it intended for auction when exhibits are done? Y/N
f) $1.50 for shipping IF your piece is intended for auction
g) return postage IF you are wanting the piece returned if not sold OR only intended for exhibition purposes
h) don't forget to provide 2" sleeve per instructions - hanging devices will be provided



These same 12x12 pieces will be on exhibit again for the month of May at the InterUrban Art House (IUAH) in Overland Park, KS. A NEW exhibit space for us!

In addition, the fabulous 50+ piece SAQA travelling trunk show will be on exhibit there at the same time with our 12x12 pieces. Our job is to FILL THE REMAINING GALLERY SPACE! That might be a challenge: it’s a good sized space so we need lots ‘o pieces. Per IUAH: "The price point is $150 and under for 12x12 pieces, BUT you can price larger pieces as you desire". The ArtHouse will take a very modest 30% commission. These pieces will hang towards the end of April with a reception on the 15th of May (usual 3rd Friday event). All pieces MUST have labels and sleeves: 1/2” from quilt edges top and bottom. Sleeves are 4” wide for the larger pieces. 12x12’s should have 2” wide sleeves to accommodate our slats. On these larger pieces, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP your intention on providing a piece for sale for this portion of the exhibit. These pieces should be original works. If we are lucky enough to get swamped with works, IUAH reserves the right to curate pieces. We'll be accepting delivery in early April. Again, additional info will be in newsletter out late Jan/early Feb.

Regional Meeting Notes, November 2019

Happy New Year everyone.

It was almost 2 months ago that we got together at Marnie’s and seems like it was so much longer.  I’m glad the Holiday Season is over, what about you?

Marnie Clawson was such a good host  and if you missed this you missed a lot. First of all, her studio is to die for especially to someone like me that is grateful to have a small spare bedroom as a studio.  She did a trunk show for us.  She talked about her various processes and she had an indigo pot for us to dip things into. While we were busy with all that her husband was pressing grapes from their vineyard for this year’s vintage AND she sent everyone home with a jar of homemade grape jelly.  It was a fun day. 

We also took the time for a brief “business” meeting. Here is what was discussed…

The Cindy’s shared their efforts to try and convince  SAQA HQ to have the 2023 conference in KC.  Time will tell how this plays out. 

The Cindy’s are also scheduled to give their SAQA presentation in Columbia, MO at Booneslick Trail Quilt Guild on April 6^th, 2020. Hopefully, some Missouri SAQA members can attend.

We reminded those in attendance of the upcoming opportunities for the 12x12 auction quilts. We have been asked back again this year for a Small Works exhibit at the Shirley Stiles Gallery in Westwood, Kansas for the month of March.  In May the auction quilts will be shown along with a SAQA Trunk Show and other larger pieces our members create for sale at the InterUrban Art House in Overland Park, Kansas. 

There was a discussion about the tasks and responsibilities of a Regional Rep.  The Cindy’s will be stepping down after the May meeting to give someone else a chance to play a greater role in this wonderful organization.  If you are thinking about volunteering to take over we encourage you to check out the SAQA website and read through some of the info in the representative pages.  You can get an idea of what’s involved.  I can speak for both of us that it has been a very positive experience.

We all brought a bag lunch but one of Marnie’s friends supplied several homemade pies for dessert from her friends’ pie shop to-be.  Apparently we were testers for the bakery she will be opening in town soon.  The pies got rave reviews. 

Of course, we had our Show and Share.  Many of us brought our finished pieces from the Jo Alberda workshop.  It’s always fun to see the different varieties we can make from the same project. 

Regional Meeting Notes: May 18, 2019

Studio Art Quilt Associates

Minutes for May 18, 2019 at the Johnson County Central Resource  Library, Overland Park, Kansas

We started with a quick round of welcomes and introductions. There were 18 attendees, including one guest.

We gave a big congratulations to all members who were accepted into our upcoming de.light/FULL regional exhibit.  There are 31 works from 20 artists. The show premiers at the Leedy-Voulkus Art Center in Kansas City, MO on July 12^th 2019 and continues until August 31, 2019.  There will be a closing reception on August 31^st as well. 

Also, a big ‘thank you’ to May Kay Fosnacht (KCity), Shannon Conley (Moore, OK) and Karen Hansen (KCity) for their work on the promotional postcard and Gallery/Artist Bio book. Our exhibit is well represented by their hard work. 

We briefly talked about the SAQA booth at the upcoming Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival.  We need a couple more volunteers to step up and help by sitting with the booth during the show.  Please click https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0949a9a82eaaf58-saqa to sign up. 

Cindy P mentioned the Spring Quilt Market is wrapping up this weekend here in Kansas City.  It was a chance for some to see it live and in person by volunteering to help.  Thanks to those that did.

Cindy B gave a quick update on the ‘Variations on a Theme’ workshop scheduled for August 17th with Joanne Alberda.  Online registration and payment of fees will be through the SAQA Store and plans are that the site will be live by the end of the week.

Cindy B, Cindy P and Kathy Suprenaut (Lawrence KS) shared their experiences of the SAQA Annual Conference – ‘Threads of Innovation’ held in San Jose, California.  We were very impressed by the workshop that talked about incorporating drawing app technology into art quilting; another on how to use Instagram to develop your brand as an artist; and yet another that presented art quilting as a bridge for disadvantaged teens to engage in social justice issues.  Wow, who knew? 

Cindy P and Kathy Suprenaut gave the group a small taste of the conference by re-enacting their prepared ‘Lightning Talks’ at the meeting. Kathy’s talked was on her art quilt series titled “What did Ming Miss?” and Cindy P’s was “Creating Your Day” or how to say NO and to prioritize your art.  Everyone really enjoyed them. 

A member of the new St Louis pod, Candyce Grisham, joined us and gave a quick over view of their group and upcoming activities. 

Andrea Luliak (Oklahoma) was our ‘Member Spotlight’ speaker.  She proved what we already knew – she is multi-talented, and endlessly curious when it comes to quilting techniques and the use of color and textures.   During the course of her presentation we saw her full range.  She showed us samples of her earliest work including fabric pieces so small it’s hard to imagine handling them let alone hand-stitching them. She also had hand made dolls and art quilts that incorporated many different surface design techniques. She is certainly an asset to our group. 

We ended with a show and share and a door prize won  by Charlene Van Walleghen. Yay, Charlene! 

Correction! Next Meeting Date

Hi All,

The minutes from the last meeting incorrectly listed the date of the next meeting.  The next meeting will be May 18th at 12:00 at the Central Resource library’s Logan Room.

Thanks!