new year new work

Very Merry Christmas from Suffolk to everyone. Best wishes for a successful Stitching New Year

"Show Me the Monet"

Do you see the tv programme "Show Me the Monet" - well they are about to start selection for a new series.  Applications, online only, open Monday 12th December - first 3,000 applicants only.  The programme does accept textile art - so think about it.  Full information at http://www.showmethemonet.tv/  or to see a clip from the programme, visit  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00h3x3w

2012 Warner Archive Programme

The Warner Textile Archive, in Braintree, Essex, has published its Programme of events for 2012.  These include talks, workshops and a Textile Fair.  Check out the information as it may be advisable to buy tickets in advance.

Essex Textile Oppotunity

I've put details on the Members page under Essex Opportunities re the chance to be involved in a Textile Art Project - and be paid!!!  It has a tight deadline for application though - Monday 12th December.

I thought I should point out to you all the source of such information - its from the Arts Development Officer of (in this case) Essex County Council.  I am subscribed to e-Newsletters from the County Council, they send me information about all sorts of art events/opportunities in the entire County.  My local Council also has an Arts Officer (I know not all do) and I also get regular e-Newsletters from there too, applicable to our area.  if anyone wants the contact for the Essex County Council, let me know.
But I'd advise you all to search out your own local, county, borough, city councils for the Arts Development Officer or Arts/Leisure Department as this kind of news bulletin may well be available to you.
Beverley   website1@ertf.org.uk

Reminder: Check Website Regularly

This is just to remind you all - to check up on the ERTF website regularly, and especially the Members' section. Particularly at this time of year as Members' meals/outings are being arranged, with dates into 2012 - check your emails to for direct contact, including your spam folders.
Do you know about Google Reader?  A one stop site to check when new postings have been made to blogs.  If you'd like more information on the what and how, let me know: Beverley, ERTF Website Manager website1@ertf.org.uk

Information for Members

Members - I have updates of information for you.

Colour Conference - we have just attended an excellent conference on colour, and as promised a book list has been provided by our speaker - please go to the Members section of our website log in, and look under Conferences for the information.  Can I request that any suitable photos of the day, be sent to me to be added to the website: Beverley  website1@ertf.org.uk    Thank you.

6th Members' Challenge has been launched full details of this again are to be found on the website, please look under Challenges and/or contact your Area Rep for more information.

Our next Exhibition  planned for 2013 and some way off as yet, but you might like to start thinking about it - the title of the Exhibition will be:  "Eastern Images".  As and when further information is available it will be made known to you.  Don't forget to check the righthand menu with listings of forthcoming events.

"Lost in Lace" until Feb 2012

This Exhibition is outside of our Region, in Birmingham.  However, this may well be of interest to you.  There is a radio item, to be found here, for you to listen to, and also an article on the Crafts Council's website.  Information about this event has also been posted on the ERTF website - Members section.

The Foundling Museum

Some of you may be aware that ERTF Member Janette Bright has been involved in researching the Tokens left at the Foundling Museum.  She is the co-author of a new book on the subject.  Please see full details via EAST's blog pages

Essex Inspirations

Essex members met up again recently to discuss how members advance work from inspiration into finished pieces. It was fascinating to see the different sources which inspired members and how many different ways the finished work was achieved, the diversity of the world of textile art never ceases to amaze. The main problem of the day was that it passed much too quickly and we ran out of time. (And of course there was cake -Helen's chocolate orange one - yum!)

So there will be two more meetings very soon.

December will see a day called 'Material Dilemmas' and the end of January will start the new year with a bang when we visit a member's home for a 'Danish Smorgasbord'.

Details of the two events will available shortly from Chris , the Essex rep . or via the monthly Essex news sheet.

REMINDER 5th November

Remember, Remember the 5th of November...

It's the next ERTF Conference on Colour

Bookings close on Monday 24th October

The Conference is open to all - Non Members please click here for full details.  ERTF Members Log In and click on Conference in the lefthand menu. 

Suffolk exhibition

ERTF members are taking part in this exhibition in Ipswich in a gallery above the Deli. Memorable Cheeses. Odd address but come and see if it works......

22nd/29th Oct Rochford Art Trail

Rochford (close to Southend on Sea, Essex) has its own Art Trail, 22nd/29th October.  ERTF Members participating are:  Juliet Bryson at Venue 4, featured on the poster below and Beverley Folkard at Venue 17.  For a downloadable map and information please see.

Contemporary Art Fair Rudolf Steiner School Kings Langley Hertfordshire

Jenny Leslie and Catherina Petit-van Hoey are taking part in the first Rudolf Steiner Art Fair this Friday 7th, Saturday  8th and Sunday 9th Oct.

There are 150 artists of all types taking part, all work has been selected for the Fair, it should  be a really exciting event where you can buy very special Christmas presents.

See the web site for more details.

Photos from the Exhibition

An over view of our Exhibition - much more to see than shown here - closes Sunday 9th October.

ERTF Shop at DragonHall

Here are photos from our Shop at the Concepts & Meanings Exhibition, Dragon Hall, Norwich. As you can see lots of wonderful items for sale. It is staffed by ERTF Members, so say hello. Please come for a look around.

MAJYK SCRAPS new Textile exhibition

LOOSELY LINKED

Ipswich Tourist Information centre

St Stephen's Lane Ipswich IP1 1DP

26th September - 1st October 2011

Exhibition - on its way!!!

Today was delivery day for the ERTF's Exhibition: Concepts & Meanings to be shown at Dragon Hall, Norwich. By the time I arrived at lunchtime many beautiful things had already been delivered. Here’s a tantalising glimpse of what will be on view – with Doreen checking off the arrivals.
The staff of Dragon Hall were already busy making preparations for the work to be displayed, intriguing… scaffolding was in place!!!
The exhibition opens on Tuesday 27th September and runs until Sunday 9th October. Please see the poster in the side bar, or look at the Dragon Hall website for more information. I do hope you will visit, as we will also have an ERTF shop bursting with wonderful pieces of ERTF Members’ artwork at price points to suit every pocket, alongside supplies to aid your own creativity. ERTF Members will also be stewarding the Exhibition, so come along to say hello.

ERTF Herts member Alison White has had two pieces of work accepted for a European Exhibition FREEDOMS

Alison White, one of our Herts members, has entered two pieces of her artwork into a European open exhibition entitled ‘ FREEDOMS’ sponsored by Bernina sewing machines and organised by Gudrun Heinz in Germany. Both pieces were selected and the international touring exhibition had its debut at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham this weekend. The exhibition will then be seen in Moscow in Russia, in Prague in the Czech Republic later it will be in Einbeck in Germany and will continue around the world for the next 2 years. More information about the exhibition can be found at www.quiltsundmehr.de

Alison who teachers Art and Design at Presdales School in Ware based one of her entries on her experience as a year 11 form tutor the title of this piece was ‘Freedom to wear nail varnish with school uniform’ A member of the public at the NEC recognised the school uniform included in the artwork as she had been a pupil at the school a number of decades ago. The second artwork was very different called ‘Freedom to walk alone in the forest without being watched.’ More details about Alison’s Textile art can be found atwww.sheepythings.com

EXHIBITION - More Stewards Needed Please

Members - can any of you help? We have some gaps in our stewarding schedule for our Concepts & Meanings Exhibition in Norwich. (27th Sept - 9th Oct) I'm sure a few hours help rather than no help would be very welcome. Please get in touch with Doreen for up to date information on when assistance is most needed. exhibitions1@ertf.org.uk Thanking you in advance.

Material Girls present 'Primarily Colour' at Craft Arena

Conference - TV Programme

Our November Conference is on Colour - but did you see the TV programme which is referenced in the details from our guest speaker? I did, fascinating - but if you missed it don't worry, you have until 19th Sept to catch up and watch it on BBC iPlayer. The programme is: Horizon - Do You See What I See?

Newsletter : Summer 2011

Members, if you've not received the Newsletter via email, it is now on the Website and available for you to download.
Please sign in as a Member, scroll down the lefthand menu to "Newsletter" - click on this and it will take you to a page with the current, and past editions. You can download, save to read offline, read on screen, using the + /- to resize if needed, or print off - whatever suits your needs.

Past Present Future HVA Textile Exhibition

Essex ERTF - a trip to the seaside

Last Friday Essex ERTF rep, Chris, arranged a day at Southend. We looked at different ways of recording our responses to the landscape - sight, sound, smell and taste. Some of us stitched by the sea, others drew, photographed, made sound recordings, took rubbings of seaside architecture, and did some mark making. After a spot of lunch we visited Beecroft Art Gallery where there was an exhibition of paintings, sculpture and even textiles by Essex artists. Even the weather was just perfect. Thanks Chris for an excellent day. Looking forward to our next meeting and a chance to see how we have all been inspired.

Exhibition - Shop Requirements

Members - we have revised the Paperwork in connection with the provision of work for sale in the Shop to be operated alongside the Concepts & Meanings Exhibition.
There has been a mail out, you should all have received this revised information - do please read the accompanying information sheet, as there are changes to be noted, and the new form should be used for your submissions.
If you cannot locate this new paperwork, in your inbox or spam folder, it is available on the website (pdf version). Thank you.

CONFERENCE: 5th November 2011

Conference - "Colour"

Saturday 5th November 2011

Letchworth Garden City, Herts

Full information relating to our next Conference has today been added to the ERTF website. The Conference is open to both Members and Non Members.

Members please sign in and look under Conference for the details.

Non Members please click HERE to be taken direct to the relevant information.

Please note, application for tickets is by Monday 24th October 2011.

Essex Art & Design Show: 6/7 Aug

ERTF Member: Juliet Bryson will be participating at this event.

Concepts & Meanings Exhibition

Members

Please check on the ERTF website, under the Members Section, (Exhibitions) for further information specific to Members only. Thank you.

Essex Event -Location Response

A led session exploring different ways of how we gain inspiration from a specific location.Responding not just to what we see but hear,smell feel, even taste.
The day will take place on Friday 19th August in Westcliff-on-Sea (Southend).
Members interested in attending please contact Chris Spencer, Essex Rep. for further details.

Concepts & Meanings Exhibition

Please click on the poster to enlarge.

2012 AGM & Conference

Please make a note of the date - the 2012 AGM and conference will be held on:

Saturday 14th April 2012

Girton College Cambridge

The Conference is open to Non Members. Further information will be made available as soon as it finalised. Please check back on the blog, and also via the website.

Cambs and Beds

Lace and Lacemaking

Friday 21 October 2011 from 10.30

A drop in day (with coffee and cake) to look at lace in general and 'have a go' if you would like to.

We could even have a shared lunch if enough people will be around at midday.

Available to look at will be a selection of traditional and contemporary pieces of my work together with work in progress and some beginner pillows set up for anyone to have a try.

Open to both ERTF members and non members: members will find more details on the ERTF website. Non members can obtain more details by emailing cambsrep1@ertf.org.uk

Cambs and Beds

Dyeing Day

Friday 2 September from 10.30 - 4ish.

Janet Cook will host another Dyeing Day at her house, she is hoping this will be a more convenient day than the last time when so many people were really busy. Many of you will have used Procion Dyes before so Janet will skip basic techniques and concentrate on textures and colour mixes.

The day will be excellent for pooling ideas, experiences, successes and even the odd disaster.

Open to all ERTF members, further details are posted on the ERTF website.

CONCEPTS & MEANINGS EXHIBITION

DEADLINE for Submission is:

22nd July 2011

Open to Members who have Registered an Intent to Enter - please read the Members Section of the ERTF website for clarification. (Committee Organised Programme - Exhibitions).

BA (Hons) Textiles

I know that many of our members are caught up in the closure of Julia Caprara School with the shut down of the BA course. I thought I would let you know that the Open College of the Arts are just starting a new BA accredited by Bucks Uni who run their own BA in Textiles. Details are not yet on their web site but ring 0800 731 2116 for snail mail details. I got them today and will be restarting my degree in September!

A networking ERTF BA Group for the OCA could be good for the future!

Heritage Silks - Fabrics from English Historic Houses, Castles and Cathedrals

This exhibition includes a selection of hand-woven silks produced by Warner & Sons for some of the best known historic buildings in England. Information also about the commissions, drawings and production.

Warner Textile Archive in Braintree, Essex is open on Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm.

The exhibition continues until 8 February 2012.

Full information on the ERTF website

Talking Textiles - 30 June to 6 July 2011

EAST continue their "Talking Textiles" tour at Snape this week - starting on Thursday 30 June. The exhibition will be in the Pond Gallery at the Snape Maltings centre, near Aldburgh, Suffolk, IP17 1SR. Opening times 10am to 5pm every day. Plenty of other shops, places to eat/drink and visit in the Maltings area.

Venue Magazine

Do you know about this FREE magazine, available in all counties covered by the ERTF.
I picked up the Summer issue yesterday - you will likely find it at galleries or libraries.
Venue Magazine
It has articles and information about art events in the Eastern region, as well as What's On pages, and of course adverts for many galleries, and art related opportunities.

Gallery of Words - exhibition extended until 30th July 2011

I recently visited this exhibition of work which combines textiles and calligraphy; I found it very inspiring and beautiful. It should have finished on the 18th June but has now been extended until 30th July. Full details on the ERTF website.

Suffolk textile art

TAGS [Textile Art Group Suffolk] are exhibiting again [18th year] at the Pond Gallery, Snape Maltings, Nr Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP17 1SR [Gallery newly refurbished]
It will be a lively exhibition where you can see and buy original, contemporary textile art work, and have a lovely day out at the Maltings [beautiful marshes, excellent pub and cafe food, free parking] Hope to see you there.

Essex Local Meeting

A small group of Essex based members met together on Friday to discuss organising a regular programme of locally based events in the manner of the other 'area' groups. Over tea and lots of lovely cakes a whole range of exciting ideas were put forward and provided a great framework for establishing such a programme. Much discussion and laughter once again emphasised the value of artists who usually work in comparative isolation having a focus to come together to forward their art and creativity. The first event of the programme was agreed for August so watch this space!

Herts Local Meeting

We had a very interesting meeting with Janet Edmonds, it was good to have some Cambridge members and ERTF's new vice chair with us. Janet told us all about the process of writing a book and we had a lovely oportunity to look at all the samples she made for it, in detail.

After that we took our ideas for our panel at bit further, you can see some of us below.

But you will have to wait to see the panel, we feel it has jewel like colours.

All Hert's members are welcome to out next meeting on Sturday 24th June when we will be finalising our ideas for our panel.Details are on the web site.

Firstsite, Colchester, Essex

Firstsite is a visual arts organisation based in Colchester, Essex, and from September will have a new building. They send out regular e-newsletters which you can subscribe to. Firstsite
They also offer many opportunities to artists in the region, such as seminars, courses and activities, and currently have jobs for artists on advertisement. Deadline for applications 24th June. Please see
Extended information can be found on the ERTF website under Essex area.

Sat 2nd July Embroiderers' Guild Regional Day, Essex

Click to enlarge - more information for Members under Essex: Events/Workshops. This event is open to non members of the Embroiderers' Guild.

Getting Essex Moving: Friday 10th June 2011

A meeting to discuss crerating a regular programme of events based in Essex and London has been arranged in Hornchurch on friday 10th June between 1-3pm. This will be your chance to have your say about how the Essex/London area of ERTF should move forward. Over tea and cake we will try and sort out a regular programme of locally based events that will allow us to 'take textiles forward' and have some fun along the way. (for example a small but perfectly formed group of 'Essex Girls' visited the recent PRISM exhibition together)
It will also be an opportunity for those members working towards the Norwich exhibition to discuss their work and to learn more about the Regional challenge.
If you wish to attend please contact the Essex rep. and she will forward you details.

Cambs visit to The Manor

What a wonderful dayout! We wandered through the picturesque village of Hemingford Grey and then discovered the beautiful gardens of 'The Manor' where we even had time to stop and smell the roses! We sat down to share our scrumptious picnic and the clouds opened..... but not to be discouraged, we ate on through the rain eventually picking up our table and relocating to beneath a handy tree. The chatter and laughter continued unabated. Then the sun returned and after a little sketching and quite a lot of photography it was time for our tour of the house. An ancient house with a fascinating history and glimpses into the novels of Lucy Boston who lived there last century. Her patchwork Quilts were shown to us, each with it's own story. We had such a lovely day that we all agreed we must do it again next year.

Alison White

Burnham Art Trail: 25th June/3rd July

The Burnham-on-Crouch Art Trail, Essex, has two Members of the ERTF participating - Nicola Hughes, Venue 11 and Beverley Folkard, Venue 22. See website Please click on poster to enlarge.

Spring 2011: Newsletter now available

For all Members - the Spring 2011 Newsletter is now available to download from the ERTF website.
You will need to Log In, scroll down the lefthand menu, click on Newsletter, which will take you to a new page with the current Edition.
Enjoy reading.

June: Open Studio, Suffolk

Please click on the poster to enlarge

Herts Meeting June 4th

Come to our meeting in Barley nr Royston Herts  on Saturday June 4th 10.30. bring a friend.

Janet Edmonds will be talking about her new book, from print to stitch.

Details on the web site.

Cambs and Beds Saturday 18 June and Wednesday 22 June

Janet Cook is holding two dyeing days at her home from 10.30am until 4ish, this way those who cannot make the first may be able to make the second. Many of you will have used Procion dyes before so the days will concentrate on textures and colour mixes; pooling ideas, experiences, successes and even the odd disaster!

More details on the website

Membership Challenge Returns

The first two membership challenges are now ready for return for those members that would like them back. The challenges were the Postcard and Warner challenges. It would also be helpful to know if you are happy for ERTF to keep your's. Please contact Lorraine Traer-Clark, email details on web site.

November Conference 5th November

This is the first posting of the date for the November conference which is 5th November at Goldsmith Business Centre, Letchworth - the title of the conference is Colour. Please mark the date in your diary and further details will be posted to the web site when they are finalised.

Exquisite Poverty, Fragments: Song of the Shirt

An Exhibition of Textile Artworks
By Ellen Devall
The Garden Room at The Minories Art Gallery
Colchester, Essex. 7th May - 11th June 2011

4th June Essex, Craft Jumble Sale

5th June : Horndon on the Hill, Essex

Visit Hemingford Grey 31st May

Reminder please - Cambridge area are organising a visit to the Manor at Hemingford Grey on 31st May. Please confirm your wish to attend by 24th May.
Details below and also under the Cambridge section of the ERTF website.

Spring newsletter

Please send your thoughts and pictures of your work for the next edition of the newsletter. There are quite a few graduate shows coming up next month, if you can go, do let us know your reactions. If you ask they will often let you take photos for our internal newsletter, so those of us who cannot get to attend can enjoy the work too. Summer exhibitions will follow on next, so let us know the dates and venues. Copy for the newsletter should reach me by mid May. gg

Museums at Night - Letchworth

Please click on the poster to enlarge.

The Textile Exhibition- Windsor

To enlarge click on image.

ERTF Presents Owen Jones 9th April- 28th May 2011

Click on the image to make it larger.

Manor at Hemingford Grey

Cambridge members are organising a visit to the Manor at Hemingford Grey on Tuesday 31st May 2011. For more information look at the ERTF website in the Cambridge areas section.

Norfolk

Members please check out the ERTF website Norfolk Events and Workshops for changes to the programme at Dragon Hall.

Degree Show

For more information see the JC website this exhibition includes work by Christine Spencer ERTF member.

ERTF AGM and Conference - Passive Income

 This years AGM  is being held at Girton College,  Cambridge, on 9th April. Then  followed by  the conference : How to Get Published and to Develop a Passive Income from Other Activities  Members and Non-Members are welcome to the conference spaces are limited for more information on ticket prices and availability go to the website ertf.org.uk and check out conferences.

The Speaker for the day is Stacey Harvey–Brown
www.theloomroom.co.uk.  Stacey is a multi-faceted textile artist.  Weaver,  teacher, lecturer,  historical researcher and business woman.

Owen Jones Exhibition

The Ertf exhibition with work inspired by Owen Jones is still on at the Chelmsford Museum until the 27th March 2011. It then opens in Letchworth on 6th April 2011 at the Letchworth Museum and Art GAlleryfor more information go to the ERTF website ertf.org.uk and take a look at the Public Programme section and keep up to date with other events.

Essex Day Out Friday 4th March

Essex Rep, Janette Bright,organised an ERTF day at The Foundling Museum where the exhibition Threads of Feeling has just ended. Janette is a bit of an expert both on the history of the museum and the "tokens" left with the children by their mothers. I was pleased to see that she was credited in the book on the exhibition. About 20 of us went round the exhibition with Janette as our guide and we acquired quite a few hangers-on as we went around! Janette is an informed, interesting and passionate speaker on this speaker which made the day very special. Members came from Essex Cambridge and Herts and as usual eating was involved in a very good cafe attached to the museum and, as usual, I didn't take any photos to liven up this blog. Photography wasn't allowed so there is a scan of the accompanying book for a bit of colour and an image taken from the website.

Herts ERTF meeting Regional Challenge

We had a good meeting yesterday, eight of us met in Jenny's home and we had a lively discussion about our ideas for our canvas for the regional challenge.

One member had a good idea for the lay out,  it can make the basis for our concept and we will all contribute our work to make the piece.