Finance Authority to show art quilts

Art Quilts Maine artists will exhibit contemporary quilt art until Dec. 30 at the Finance Authority of Maine in Augusta. FAME chief executive officer John Witherspoon said, “The creative economy is a part of the fabric of our state and integrally connected to jobs and economic growth. We are proud to support and recognize Maine artists and to bring public attention to the arts and artists who enrich our society and strengthen our communities.”

The public is invited to an opening reception for the artists 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at FAME’s office, 5 Community Drive, Augusta, Exit 112 off I-95. The public also may view the exhibition 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Art quilts are contemporary artworks incorporating other visual arts, including painting, printing, photography, graphic design, assemblage and sculpture. Art quilts, however, still retain their relationship to the folk art quilt.

Art Quilts Maine is a group of more than 40 fabric artists who meet regularly to support one another in the exploration of art quilting. They also promote the understanding, appreciation and recognition of contemporary quilters in Maine by sharing resources, giving demonstrations and workshops, and holding exhibits.

Art Quilts Maine show artists include Penny Ackley, Monmouth; Joan Acord, Bowdoin; Judi Bastion, who recently moved to North Carolina; Deborah Boschert, Topsham; Sarah Carpenter, Solon; Joan Chellis, Wayne; Kate Cutko, Bowdoinham; Urszula Chojnacka, Skowhegan and England; Susan Gerhardt, South Thomaston; Leigh Griffith, Houlton; Annette Houston, Newport; Kathy Lee, Old Orchard Beach; Stacie Mann, Lee; Jane Pronovost, Vassalboro; Jeanne-Marie Robinson, Northport; Sarah Ann Smith, Camden; and Julie Weaver, Mount Vernon.

Julie Weaver, former president of the Art Quilts Maine Chapter of the Pine Tree Quilters’ Guild is curator of the show. Call her at 293-2667, or e-mail cjweaver@ctel.net to learn more about the exhibit.

FAME works to bring visibility to the achievements of Maine artists by providing them an opportunity to exhibit work. FAME also hopes to inspire a passion for art in others. To learn more about FAME art exhibits and openings, or if you are an artist who would like to have work considered for exhibition, call FAME at (800) 228-3734.

Snippets

. Martha Stewart Living magazine frequently promotes the creative economy of Maine by featuring products made in Maine. The November issue contains a beautifully illustrated and informative article about collecting antique baskets made by Maine Indians, the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot. The article gives a historical overview of Maine Indian basket making and notes that a basket shaped like a baseball cap was made as a salute to Louis Sockalexis, a Penobscot who became a star baseball player for the National League in 1897.

. The Boxberry School in Oxford will hold a quilt show 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the school, 301 Webber Brook Road in Oxford. To enter a quilt in the show, call Beth Allen at 743-7297, or e-mail bethany@megalink.net.

. A reader seeks a needlepoint kit in the Blue Boy design, and also one in the Pinkie design for her 90-year-old mother who still enjoys stitching.

If readers know where such kits may be found, e-mail SVOKES@peoplepc.com.

. If it’s hand-knit, hand-spun, hand-quilted or homemade, holiday shoppers will find it at the holiday bazaar organized by the women of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Belfast. The bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at the church, 100 Court St.

. Members of the Bangor Chapter of the American Sewing Guild will be available 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 6, at Jo-Ann Fabrics in Bangor to assist those who need help with sewing.

Call Ardeana Hamlin at 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.