The Best Ones

I was asked to be part of the jury for Verona Tessile's international exhibit, "E Lucian le Stelle...". It was a great theme as the Arena is celebrating 100 years of opera this year.

One of the Verona Tessile exhibits, "E Lucean le Stelle" at San Giorgetto 

The jury first selected the works via photographs.

First prize winner. Star Circle
by Verena Giavelli

I cannot stress how important it is to have your work professionally photographed for these types of juried exhibits. I remember the selection that was made for the Mineral's exhibit. There was one work that received the appropriate number of votes and we had to accept it. I was so worried about that piece and for no reason at all because when we actually received it, it was fabulous! The picture did not do it justice.

detail, Star Circle
She used the Hawaiian technique (Hawajano)
with a contemporary spin.
The base is one piece of fabric instead of a patchwork.
The appliqué part which is over that base is made of
 one piece of felt which was folded and cut
(remember making snowflakes
out of paper by folding and cutting?).
That creation was modified using a soldering iron
 and embellished with metallic fabric paint.

Some works were easy to choose and some were difficult.

detail, Star Circle

A few weeks ago, while all 4 jury members were in Verona together, we chose the prize winners from the selected works. That selection was done seeing the work LIVE and not through photographs.

It is interesting to view works from the perspective of a juror.

2nd place winner from an italian maker, Laura Di Cera, entitled
Il Sogno di Euterpe
She is a musician by profession and that
came through her interpretation.
The work second from the left is by Canadian maker
Gail Marmoreo from Ontario

Terry Abate, is the oldest member of Ad Maiora (she's in her 80's!) and her work was awarded 3rd prize, traditional category.

Terry (left) standing in front of her work
with one of the Canadian travellers

All works were packed up and picked up by the shipping company. Artists are always eager to get their work back! Because they are made by our hands we become so attached to them. It's nice to see them come home.

Speaking in East Toronto

I was invited by the East Toronto Quilter's Guild to speak at their monthly meeting. My topic was "Beyond the Hobby Quilter".

I brought 18 pieces related to my topic to show the members.

Blue Depression is one of the pieces I brought. It is still one of my favorites.

Blue Depression, detail
photo by Carolina Dal Dossi

I made it in 2006 for a contest in Italy but it missed the show, BLUE, because it was held at Italian customs for a week.

I ended up submitting it the following year in Trame D'Arte in Verona, Italy, and it was awarded 3rd prize in the contemporary category. I received $800 worth of fabric, which I left in Italy and use when I'm there. I can now say I am an international, award-winning textile artist!

It's got paper and actual (altered) photographs in it and since it has been handled while traveling it's a little tattered in spots.

Blue Depression, 40" x 38.5", 120 cm x 98 cm
photo by Carolina Dal Dossi

Later, it was photographed for an Italian calendar (2008) and was selected for the poster for Festival Internacional de Patchwork and was part of the Italian exhibit at the same event in Sitges, Spain, 2009. 


I am giving the same talk in November at the Mississauga guild. (see speaking engagements)


Everyone is welcome.

Challenge Results

Our guild hosted a DIVA evening along with the Paint Chip Challenge works.

So many ladies wore costumes! I resurrected my blonde wig and a sparkly top from the kids' dress-up box.

one of the DIVAS

Members voted for their three favorite pieces from the Paint Chip Challenge. The three with the most votes (shown below) were awarded prizes.

This was one of my votes.
It was visually appealing and
very well done technically.

"Grey Morning" by our president
 in her DIVA dress!

Two artists that were in attendance that evening were Maggie Vanderweit and Clare Kirby.

Clare holding up her work,
"Belisarius and the Cosmic Astral Tyger"
hand dyed silks, hand quilted

"Cat Killed the Cardinal", by Clare Kirby
hand dyed silks, fused silk, feathers, beads, hand quilted

The executive from the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre has asked me to contribute an art piece for their fundraising event in May and I have decided to donate my Paint Chip Challenge piece, Jungle Green. (to see the work click here)