Ties That Bind
Fibre Arts Symposium
This graphic is part of Yvonne Carlson’s Bubbles Brighter
June 1st and 2nd, 2024
Birtle Centre for the Arts is excited to be able to bring fibre art enthusiasts together to learn from a talented group of presenters, to enjoy 3 creative exhibits, and to offer the opportunity for everyone to take part in a shibori dye with indigo workshop.
The symposium begins bright and early Saturday morning and will wrap up at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday. We also have pre-event opportunity details on Friday.
2 Friday complimentary Bonus opportunities to kick off the weekend:
- Friday afternoon you are invited to take a stroll around Val’s Garden. This is a back by special request and Val is happy to accommodate us. If you saw it last year you will know that even early in the season it is a sight to see.
- Meet and Greet at 7 to 8:30 pm on Friday May 31st, 2024 with an art activity. This will begin at Birtle Centre for the arts.
Scroll down for details about registration , speakers, workshops, exhibits, accommodations, schedule, location and any other event details. If the information you are looking for is not there or if you have questions, please feel free to email us at info@birtlearts.ca or call Shonda at 204-773-0670.
Presenters
Click on the presenter’s name for their biographies and to see samples of their work.
These presenters will each be offering demonstrations of techniques in addition to their presentations.
Yvonne’s presentation titled “Global Connections+ will focus on 21 pieces Yvonne made over 2 1/2 years as part of an online group of fibre artists from around the world and the techniques used to create them.
Tamara will provide information on shibori dyeing techniques with indigo in her presentation and lead symposium participants in a hands on workshop. All supplies are provided.
Shelly’s presentation will focus on family and cultural ties to her art of rug hooking and the connection between craft and mindfulness and her ties to her environment as a source of inspiration.
Theresa will discuss repurposing clothing and linens into art using fibre art as a means of physical and emotional repair.
Deborah’s presentation, The Sweetgrass Path, will discuss sweetgrass as a kindness medicine and a plant that represents the hair of Mother Earth
Cathie’s presentation will focus on the women from her maternal side, through the generations to her grand-daughters. Cathie created seven unique fibre art panels, each representing one of these women, inspired by their place in history, their story and how they have affected future generations. Creating this body of work allowed her the opportunity to imagine and spend time with those she never met in person and reflect on those who have passed away. These panels represent strength, love and the continuity of family passed on through the journey of life.
Exhibits
52 YARNS OF LYME – The Lyme Dis-Ease Series by Susan Griffin, Moosomin, SK
This exhibit highlights the benefits of working in a series and illustrates how creating art can heal an artist both physically and emotionally.
The series has two sub-series.
The Lemon-Aide With a Twist of Lyme subseries was created when Susan turned to fibre art while recovering from Lyme Disease. It had taken away many of her abilities including to physically create art. While working on the quilts in this collection Susan relearned over 75 different quilting techniques that she had forgotten how to do.
The Emotions subseries is a collection of art pieces that portray the struggles and victories of Susan’s recovery journey. The exhibit, including an interactive piece, is a tangible record of her journey back to life and creating art.
Learn more about Susan Griffin here.
TWO EXHIBITS FROM TEXTILE AND FIBRE ARTSITS OF MANITOBA (TFAM)
TEXTURAL DIMENSION
Abrasive, bumpy, cratered, dense, fluffy, hazy, inset, layered, ragged, velvety, woolly … these are all the words that could be used to describe materials and techniques to represent texture. In TFAM’s 2023 exhibit, Textural Dimension, we invite you to engage with our fibre art exhibit from a distance, and then come in for a closer look and say, “WOW, it looks so real!”
Textural Dimension has 37 fibre pieces by thirty artists.
DUAL IMPRESSIONS
The most important difference between artistic styles is that each one expresses the creator’s feelings or emotions. View the amazing variety of artistic impressions represented here by TFAM partners. In TFAM’s, 2024 exhibit, Dual Impressions. Member partners choose an image or a theme that speaks to both of them. In response, each creates a unique fibre piece in the artistic style of their choice which will be displayed together.
This preview will be the debut exhibit for this collection which is currently being assembled and we are excited to be able to share it with you.
Participant Exhibit
Opportunity to Share Your Work
You are invited to bring along one piece of your original work (maximum size 16″ x 22″) for a table display. They will be on display from registration until noon on Sunday but there is no formal presentation. It can be a piece that fits the theme, demonstrates a unique technique, or just a piece that you would like to share. Please attach a 4″ x 6″ label tag with your name, the title, and anything you want people to know about your piece.
Event Schedule
Registration
SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION:
To register online, please click here and it will take you to a sign up form. Your registration fee can be e-transfered to info@birtlearts.ca (please note Fibreart in the comment area) or you can mail a cheque payable to Birtle Centre for the Arts to Box 460, Birtle, Mb R0M 0C0. We are not able to take credit cards.
Refunds for the event will be issued if we receive notification of withdrawal no later than two weeks before the symposium (May 18th).
Registration Fee: (reduced if you register by April 1st)
Registration on or before April 1st, 2024. $220
After April 1st. 2024 $250
Click the “Register Here” button to access the Online Registration Form but be sure to scroll down for all the details so you don’t miss opportunities.
Registration includes:
- Six talented presenters including Tamara Klassen who will lead participants in an indigo dye workshop
- All supplies for hands on activities
- Several demos
- Complimentary Friday evening Meet and Greet for early arrivers.
- All meals – Saturday banquet, 2 lunches and 2 complimentary breakfasts.
- Three creative fibre art exhibits will treat participants to over a hundred pieces of fibre art throughout the weekend.
- An opportunity to share time, ideas and laughs with other fibre artists.
We will be doing our best to be environmentally friendly. Drinking water will be provided but if you would like to bring your own vessel to refill, that will assist us to meet our minimal waste goal.
IMPORTANT: If you have food allergies or require a vegetarian meal please email to info@birtlearts.ca at least one week in advance. We will do our best to make arrangements to accommodate you.
May 31st 7:00pm to 8:30 p.m. Complimentary PreEvent Friday Night Meet and Greet
Register at Birtle Centre for the Arts at 671 Main Street in Birtle. Come and have a look at our art centre, meet fellow fibre artists, have a snack and get registration details out of the way. We will have a new technique to try. If necessary for space, participants may move across to the Community Hall for the activity after they are registered.
Accommodations
Click on each location to go to their website.
Desjard Inn is located on Main Street just a few minutes walk from the event location. Please mention that you are attending the event when you call to book. They are holding rooms until one month before.
Birtle Riverside Park and Campground is a 4 min drive from the event location. This is a great option if you enjoy nature and especially if you have family members travelling along with you. Located in a scenic natural setting in the valley along the Birdtail River, there are many amenities right in the park including a 9 hole golf course and restaurant, tennis courts, and hiking trails. Call ahead to make arrangements to book a kayak or canoe.
Naylor Properties RV is located along the Birdtail River just a few blocks from the symposium event.
Local rooms to rent or RV’s to rent. Please email info@birtlearts.ca if this is of interest to you.
Russell Inn – A block of rooms is reserved for a two night stay May 31 and June 1. Please book by phone (1-800-665-0678) and refence the “Birtle Centre for the Arts” block. Rooms will be held until April 30th. Participants will receive the corporate rate. If you would like more info, please email to info@birtlearts.ca or call the Inn directly. Russell is a short 30 minute drive. The Inn has many amenities. If you have any problems accessing the block reservation, please call Shonda at 204-7733-0670.
Comfort Inn and Suites – is 68km away in Virden, MB.
Location and Directions
The Symposium will take place at Birtle Community Hall (160 Centre Street, Birtle Mb). Registration and the Meet and Greet on Friday evening will begin at Birtle Centre for the Arts (671 Main Street).
The google map below can provide you with directions from your location to the event.
