our classroom at the Mariott

The workshop I offered at the SDA/SAQA Conference in Philadelphia, Beyond the Surface: Sculptural Explorations in Soft Materials, was a big success. It was a delight to work with students who started out with such a high degree of skills, energy, and motivation to learn.

When I first saw my classroom at the Mariott in West Conshohocken I thought, how am I going to teach an art class in here? There was no inspiration in the setting. It was just bland corporate America. But once the seventeen of us moved into the space it was filled to the brim and overflowing with creative juices.

Carol sewing away at her serious of nesting triangles.

Joan's project was more complicated than she thought it would be but she toughed it out.

Students came from all different backgrounds but all had a basis in working with fiber. Some were quilters, some surface designers, a felter, and all were sewers. It was nice not to have to hold anyone’s hand and introduce them to the sewing machine. I also had two grad students who added a nice mix to the group. They were a social bunch, helping each other out with questions of design or technique. It created a really great atmosphere as we trashed that hotel room.

taking over the hallway at the Mariott. I wouldn't want to choose fabrics on top of that carpet.

Ann adding stitched embellishment.

One of the biggest struggles with these students was getting them to draw. It’s not a problem when I work in at Pratt, which is a more traditional art school. Many quilters, or other people working with fiber, don’t have any training with drawing and it intimidates them. I definitely met resistance when I advised them that they should spend more time drawing before they moved into three-dimensional materials. It was gratifying that during the share we did on the 2nd day that a couple of students mentioned that following my advice to draw had helped them get further into their designs.

I’m always amazed at the end of a workshop that each student’s piece is truly unique. After all, they’re all working with the same basic materials and the same instruction. But I work really hard to help each student figure out how to make what is in their head. It would make my job as instructor much easier to just give out a pattern and let each student customize it with details, but where’s the fun in that? It was exciting at the end of the final day to see everyone’s work together.

I had a great time working with this bunch of creative women. I was honored that they brought their full selves to the class and that they were willing to share their personal stories through their art work. It was one of the best workshop experiences I’ve had.

Sydney was working with an image of a baby bird to talk about the plight of pelicans who are being fed plastic trash by their mothers.

One side of Fern's piece. She had never worked in three-dimensions before.

Betty, an acomplished seamstress, created a memorial to a friend.

Katherine's sculpture was working with themes of depression. She created a box inside a box with windows to the outside world.

Ann's piece was simple and elegant and could sit two ways.

The other way to stand Ann's piece.

Juli worked with complex curves.