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“Spun” exhibit opening this weekend at Denver Art Museum!
Rain cloak (charkheb), Bhutan, early 1900s. Woven wool. Denver Art Museum; Neusteter Textile Collection: Textile Art department funds, by exchange.
The new museum-wide series of exhibitions, collectively called Spun: Adventures in Textiles, opens this weekend at the Denver Art Museum. The member preview is on Saturday, May 18, and the whole exhibit opens to the public on May 19. Daily tours will be given at 1pm. A fabulous array of work will be on display, from around the globe and from ancient to modern times.
And here’s your chance to get in on the fun–
The museum is creating a community quilt, with blocks made by – you! Any Colorado resident, any age or skill level, is invited to submit a 2′ x 3′ quilt block for inclusion in the community quilt project. The first round of submissions is due on June 3, so get those sewing machines cracking! More information and submission guidelines can be found on the Denver Art Museum website.
May 15, 2013 at 6:31 pm Kathy Mitchell-Garton Leave a comment
Window Scarf – A Wet Felting Technique
Become inspired by working with wonderful silk fabrics and soft merino wool roving to create a lovely scarf! A variety of silks will be available to choose from in addition to a sumptuous palate of wool colors. Bring any printed silk gauze or georgette, if desired, to incorporate into your scarf. Feltmaking requires some physical labor involving rolling the project roll with your arms. All students will leave with a finished felted scarf that can make a great gift or for you. with Anne Vickrey-Evans
EcoQuilts | Earth sensitive textile arts
EcoQuilts | earth sensitive textile arts | recycled and respected themes and materials
Vintage travel hankies by Marjorie Puryear, of Montrose, Alabama
TACtile Textile Arts Center presents: ECO Quilts, the Pop Up gallery exhibit now through September 30 at The Women’s College at the University of Denver. Free to the public, the ECO Quilts exhibit features Earth-sensitive textile arts from 8 different artists across the country. The gallery is located at the Meryl Catherine Chambers Center for the Advancement of Women Building at 1955 E. Asbury Ave. in Denver and is open between 7am-7pm Monday-Friday.
ECO Quilts contains 33 works exhibiting recycled and respectful materials and themes. For example, the show features a quilt that is made from repurposed materials such as a collection of travel hankies that have been intricately beaded and stitched onto Japanese Kimono. In addition to repurposed materials, some of the pieces feature Earth-sensitive themes, such as a photo-real quilt depicting the Stone and Passageways of Ireland.
The Women’s College at DU is the perfect showcase for this exhibit, as it is a small, intimate gallery, allowing patrons to fully embrace the artistry of the quilts. Dedicated to the advancement of women, the Women’s college offers educational and leadership development opportunities for women in the area, and the halls are often abuzz with energetic students, dedicated to advancing their lives while maintaining full lifestyles.
In addition to weekday hours, the ECO Quilts exhibit can also be seen on the weekends. For weekend hours, please contact Ashley Beaudry | Coordinator of Special Events and Communications at 303.871.6068 or ashley.beaudry@du.edu. On street parking is free and plentiful.
TACtile is moving…mountains of creativity!
It’s no coincidence that two unique Denver fashion industry treasures have teamed up. TACtile Textile Arts Center is moving to the world famous button importing headquarters of JHB International, Inc. in southeast central Denver at 1955 South Quince Street, Suite 200.
The challenge of a new venue brings mountains of creativity to the enthusiastic members of TACtile, as well as to JHB who is growing beyond fashion markets into more arts and crafts industries. Tamarac Square has been the home of TACtile since its inception in 2007, hosting numerous successful gallery exhibitions, workshops, and fiber arts guild events. Now, TACtile is moving up to a new level. In addition to being on the second floor, the new TACtile headquarters is larger, more inviting for workshops, allows for gallery exhibits all over the city, and shares a full-size executive boardroom.
Warehouse locations are an increasingly popular national trend for artist studios and creatives seeking unique but affordable space. TACtile is right on trend to establish fiber arts in the mountain arts community.
The JHB warehouse location is a result of hard working Denver entrepreneur, Jean Howard Barr, who began her successful imported button business in the 1960’s. Mrs. Barr grew her business from the basement in her SE Denver home, to multiple rental buildings, to the currently owned 45,000 square foot facility. Today a sewing industry icon, Mrs. Barr began exporting in the 1970’s, securing her company as a fashion industry stronghold. The large warehouse facility that TACtile will be sharing was expanded in 1994. JHB, now managed by son, Jay Barr, is located at 1955 South Quince Street, just north of the Denver Dumb Friends League, near Evans and Quebec, 2 miles east of I-25. TACtile is very excited to begin a creative tenant relationship with JHB. Both can see the benefits of doing some collaborative fiber arts community projects together.
JHB is also known for local button tours over the years, showing off its shipping and receiving and the exclusive custom hand carding process that few button companies continue today. It has been a popular employer for creative women in the Denver area over the years.
TACtile is known as a gallery where local textile artists showcase their work, as a meeting place for 14 fiber art guilds and organizations in the Rocky Mountain region, a retail store showcasing merchandise from all over the world, and workspace where various and unique fiber art classes are held. Buttons are considered a valuable part of the textile art disciplines!
The new location will transform TACtile into its own destination. No worries. It is easy to find, boasts plenty of free parking, and is in a safe neighborhood for evening events. Plans are to reopen by the middle of September. Keep an eye on the website, tactilearts.org where further updates will be posted, telephone 720-524-8886, email info@tactilearts.org For now it’s bye-bye, Tamarac Square, hello to new audiences in the metro and mountain region!
TACtile Textile Arts Center, a nonprofit organization, is a community center that represents and supports regional fiber artists working in all forms of textile media. It is dedicated to inspiring growth, visibility, and creative excellence in textile arts. TACtile opened in Tamarac Square in fall 2007. TACtile will open in September 2010 at 1955 South Quince Street, Denver, CO 80231.
’Controlled Explosions’ Exhibit Extracts Emotion
I have visited the exhibit several times and each time I am drawn to a different piece of art. Today was no different; though today was the day I realized why on each visit I have a different favorite that draws me closer for a more intimate look.
Each piece is so full of emotion that I am automatically drawn to the one that evokes the feelings that I’m experiencing that day. Today it was the beautiful raven haired enchantress titled “Vertigo” by Sharron Freeman that pulled me in closer.
She appears to be floating in a spiral with more beauty than I can relate to in my swirling chaotic day. My life has been spinning rather quickly as of late making me feel somewhat like the blue eyed beauty inverted in a whirling color drenched incarnation.
The main difference between this textile beauty and me is that she seams so peaceful in her state of Vertigo as if that is where she belongs. Something I have never experienced; peace in the midst of spiraling. I can’t even enjoy a good merry-go-round. But somehow the gentle wash of color in her face as she swings upside down in her multicolored sparkling dress makes me stop and ponder the chaos circling me and think ‘maybe it’s not all bad, maybe I can find a peaceful moment, upside down, floating in a sea of color.’ If only I had the sparkling dress.
TACtile to move by the end of August
As you know, TACtile has been preparing for our next exciting location since the end of last year.
We received surprising news just now that Tamarac Square has decided to close earlier than the anticipated spring 2011.** In fact, they have notified us that we must be moved by August 31st!
Of course, we are saddened and very disappointed to leave our beautiful gallery and workspace. However, we are energized that this is a nudge to move us along faster toward our long-term goals. We are quickly working on our backup plan and will meet the challenge!
MOMENTUM
Our partnering guilds are in full support. With your membership, visits, and volunteering, we have become an integral part of the Colorado regional arts community. Our many successful exhibits, Fiber Frenzy and World Threads events have had huge impact and public support!
We have many ideas, dreams, creative challenges and opportunities. Amazing professionals are on our team of development.
CALL TO ACTION
If you’ve had a little dream of a “place” to nurture your textile heART, now is the time to admit it. TACtile is it. We are for YOU. We are your home, your place…the community of people who “know your language.”
Who else can talk about thread, yarns, or needles for hours and hours?!!
1. Come to Tamarac Square NOW.
Enjoy our contemporary quilt exhibit and the kindred spirts. See our beautiful displays and windows while they last.
2. Become a Member or
Renew your Vow of Membership
Tell us you believe in your textile community . This is just the beginning of what we can do for you and each other.
I believe in what you are creating. We realize you need to imagine the possibilities, but we know you are already pretty good at that 
GASPS OF DELIGHT
The same day we got this “bad” news, (Coincidence? I don’t think so!) we also got a call from an Associated Press national reporter who had visited our gallery and admitted to “gasping” with delight at the fiber arts in the exhibit. In August she plans to do a national story on “TACtile and the beauty of fiber arts!” Success is happening…
TACTILE ROCKS
“TACtile rocks!” (says Susan Froyd of Westword) The word is out and fiber arts are bringing us all together. Our mission is to inspire growth, visibility, and excellence in textile arts…
It will happen no matter where we are located. Join this moving shuttle.
DONATE SPACE OR DOLLARS
Now is the time to donate building space.
Now is the time to tell us you want to have a legacy.
Now let’s talk about how you can help us financially.
It’s all dedicated to our beloved textile arts!
Yes, I have something to tell you…
MOVIN’ UP AND OUT
We’re not just movin’ out, we’re movin’ out and UP.
You are part of our strength. Join us as we rise to the next level!
Literally: http://www.tactilearts.org/membership)
ARE YOU WITH US??? !!!
Click and vote
We have a couple location options we are discussing. Watch for more news in the coming days, we’ll keep you updated.
This is a celebration of fiber arts…in progress!
Fiberliciously yours,
Dianne D’Lea Denholm
Executive Director and Founder
TACtile Textile Arts Center
and the Board of Directors
World Threads II
World Threads II closes on Friday, May 28. Try to stop by for last minute gifts and treasures to support women in developing countries.
The Post did a great job publicizing our event…. see the latest at http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_15089226
Thoughts about the future of TACtile
Yes, it’s that day of the year when I focus. Your additional thoughts will be appreciated, provided I get them by the end of the day, today, April 1.
Continue Reading April 2, 2010 at 10:35 am Carol Naff 3 comments
Fiber Frenzy!
Join us for a gigantic sale of fiber-related items in Tactile’s gallery extravaganza!
TACtile Textile Arts Center invites its members and the public to donate items for our 4th Annual Fiber Frenzy. Clean out your sewing and artistic closets to donate to TACtile and then come to the Fiber Frenzy on Saturday, March 27, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to shop. A special preview show and sale for members only will be on Friday, March 26, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A $25 donation is your admittance to shop early. And memberships start at only $25.
The Preview Sale: Friday evening, March 26, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Special members only preview with a $25 donation to TACtile to be FIRST IN LINE to view or purchase the items on display as well as mingle with other supporters of TACtile. Memberships are available at the door for only $25.
The BIG SALE: Saturday, March 27, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The textile sale of your dreams! Admission is just a $3 donation per person. Hours of textile shopping fun. The Center will be filled with fabric, yarn, threads, notions, kits, patterns, magazines, tools, beads, buttons, and even unfinished projects!!
The BAG Sale: Saturday, March 27, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Everything MUST go!! Help us clean it all up. After 3:00 p.m., it’s just $10 for everything you can stuff in our paper shopping bag!!! If it doesn’t fit in the bag, its 50% off marked price!! We provide the bags, too!
One of our customers reported, “What treasures were found at our sale last fall and to be able to bring those yarns and needles back to life instead of them languishing in someone’s basement. It is satisfying to know that all the proceeds benefit the fiber arts in Colorado.”
Fiber Frenzy is a benefit for TACtile. For more information, contact: info@tactile.org or 720.524.8886. Please visit our web site at www.tactilearts.org.
March 19, 2010 at 7:43 pm Kathy Mitchell-Garton Leave a comment
Save the date
Holes & Knots: A Modern Interpretation of Lace opens this coming Friday, February 12. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to see new ways artists are thinking about this ‘old’ fabric. See bobbin lace, Chinese knotting, creatively twisted and knotted thread and other innovative ways to give new life to the concept of holes in fabric. Featured are clothing, screens, accessories, and home decor.
Show runs through March 20, 2010. Gallery hours are 11am-6pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
February 6, 2010 at 4:14 pm Kathy Mitchell-Garton Leave a comment
