Elaine Duncan

Once again this wonderful publication by Susan Schaefer has come through for tapestry.  In their latest issue Summer 2009 on page 17 they have written about Christine Rivers and myself being selected for the ATA Connections:  Small Format International exhibition.  Contact information for this magazine is:  www.islandartsmag.ca .

I have just completed weaving and mounting my entry for the exhibition “Weaving Within” small format tapestries woven by the members of the British Tapestry Group.  The title was chosen to reflect the size of the tapestries (max. 11″ by 17″) as well as the fact that it is only open to members of the BTG.  The exhibition will be shown at Stirling Castle and the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum from 12th September to 8th November 2009.  Four speakers:  Joan Baxter, Sara Brennan, Dina Ward, and Rudi Richardson are part of the Conference Day agenda scheduled for Sept 9.  On Sunday, Sept 10, there are workshops scheduled.   After the exhibition the BTG is hoping to have the tapestries as part of an on-line exhibition.  I have never exhibited overseas and I find the process exhilarating as well as nerve-wracking.  CD of images, entry forms to be mailed.  Then the actual shipping of the tapestry in mid-summer.  Due to the small format size this should not be too difficult to do.  The piece I am sending is part of a new series I have started:  Nature Designed.  I will be posting photos and artist statement in the Gallery section very soon.

L-R Nancy Trissel, Elaine Duncan, Sonja Miremont, Jean Pierre Larochette, Yael Lurie and Christine Rivers

On May 10, 2009 I attended the opening of Connections:  Small Format International in San Jose, CA at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles.  Christine Rivers and I flew down and stayed with our good friends and teachers, Yael Lurie and Jean Pierre Larochette in Berkeley.  This  is the first juried biennial small format exhibition sponsored by the American Tapestry Alliance where 48 pieces were selected from over 189 submitted by 98 tapestry artists from Canada, United States and seven other countries.  Jane Sauer from Santa Fe, New Mexico was the juror.  A catalog is available from the ATA website:  www.americantapestryalliance.org .  Twelve of the tapestry artists were able to attend the opening.  Mary Lane, representing ATA, welcomed the guests and introduced the artists.  Five artists gave short talks about their work.  It was a wonderful afternoon of renewing old acquaintances and making new ones.  The catalog is a great record of these extraordinary tapestries, but seeing the pieces in person is much better.