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    Burlington Handweavers & Spinners Guild
    1998 Juried Show
    "Tradition With a Twist"


    In June 1997, the guild members selected the theme "Tradition With a Twist" from the many ideas presented for our May, 1998 Juried Show.
    The guild has always had a high standard of weaving and spinning excellence. With this theme we wanted to encourage the guild to explore departures from the usual confines of traditional colour, fibre, structure, use, denting and finishing.
    It is readily apparent that the participants have understood the challenge and produced some innovative work. As well, the creativity we sought in this show has been recognized by the juror, Catharine Wilson.
    These pictures are only a few of the entries, enjoy!
    Lesley French, Ruth Thoem : Co-Chair, 1998 Juried Show .

    Juror's Statement


    For centuries fibre artisans have closely followed the creative traditions of their forefathers. Techniques, styles, and designs have been handed down from one generation to the next, as if written in stone.
    In this unique Juried Show, the Burlington Handweavers and Spinners Guild has broken with tradition by asking their members to submit articles which "exemplify at least one aspect of tradition that has been changed" ... tradition with a twist.
    As we approach the turn of the century, it is refreshing to see that there are weavers and spinners willing to risk breaking traditional rules to explore new ways of using materials and techniques.
    The high overall quality and the diversity of the entries is quite impressive.
    Catharine Wilson

    Felt Trapped
    "FELT TRAPPED"
    *** Award:
    Best Expression of Theme

    OHS Merit Pin

    Ada Dixon


    Tradition: Fine yarn around folded heavy paper (Dragon Boat).
    Twist: Replacing the paper and usual seed or bells with sheet metal and ball bearings did two things - resulted in softer angles for the edge and a different sound. A vibration can also be felt with the hands.
    Weaving with wire instead of fibre was difficult until I yielded and let it do what it was capable of doing.
    A bit of softness trying to get through a barrier of seemingly impassable rigidity.
    Collaboration: Frank Dixon, my father showed me how to cut and bend aluminum sheet metal.
    Content: Ball bearings, aluminum sheet metal, felt, aluminum stainless 20 gauge wire.

    Beth Jarvis


    Tradition: Nantucket baskets were made on wooden moulds with oak and plain cane. Plain weave, no pattern
    Twist: Plastic pail for mould. Sea grass in pattern with cane, twined reed instead of rivets for reed staves.
    Content: Sea grass, cane, reed.     		Nanny's Bucket Basket
    "NANNY'S BUCKET BASKET"
    *** Award:
    Juror's Choice
    		The Unquilt
    "THE UNQUILT"
    *** Award:
    OCC Design Award

    Joyce Newman


    Tradition: Quilt pattern.
    Twist: Achieved by weaving rather than piecing.
    Content: Cotton, cotton/poly fabrics

    Margaret Burns


    Tradition: Tartan wool jacket.
    Twist: Different colours in tartan.
    Carpet yarns used.
    Content: Wool    		 Margaret's Jacket
    "JACKET"
    *** Award:
    Best Use of Colour
    		 Silk Evening Shirt
    "Silk Evening Shirt"
    *** Award:
    Fiberworks Award

    Bonnie Sylvia


    Tradition: Wool coverlet "Primrose & Diamond" pattern.
    Twist: Woven in silk with a single thread overshot.
    Collaboration: Handpainted silk by Danuta Kamocki, Alchemy Fibres.
    Content: Tabby and warp, silk/ramie 50/50. Weft, handpainted silk 100%.
    ROAD TO KASHI
    "ROAD TO KASHI"
    *** Award:
    Best Use of Handspun

    Barbara Reid


    Tradition: Dornick Twill, 4 shaft threading.
    Twist: Used a blend of silk and cashmere in warp and silk in weft.
    Content: 100% handspun by weaver, warp 50% silk, 50% cashmere, weft 100% cultivated silk.

    Ruth Thoem


    Tradition: Plain weave windowpane tea towels.
    Twist: They're black!
    Content: Cotton.     		Drying in the Dark
    "DRYING IN THE DARK"
    *** Award:
    Best New Weaver
    		 Twister
    "TWISTER"
    *** Award:
    Honourable Mention

    Diane Woods


    Tradition: Overshot motif "Christian Wheel".
    Twist: Black warp and tabby (rather than a light colour), single motif, unusual use/form.
    Content: Cotton, wool, Plexiglas.
    Triad
    "TRIAD" (3 pair of earrings)
    by Diane Woods

    Tradition: Tablet weaving, regular turning, two way turning, double face double turn methods.
    Twist: Fine yarns, used as jewelry.     		Pete and RePeat
    "PETE AND REPEAT"
    by Lesley French

    Tradition: Plain weave sails, usually white.
    Twist: Bouquet Lace, red.
    Collaboration: Peter French made the boats.
    Content: Cotton, wood.     		Butterfly
    "BUTTERFLY"
    by Doreen Winter

    Tradition: Russian bobbin lace.
    Twist: Addition of beads.
    Two Cats
    "TWO CATS"
    by Margaret Burns

    		 Tradition: Double cloth, reversing twill and plain weave for a jacket.
    Twist: Made cats out of jacket fabric.
    Content: Mercerized cotton.






    For more information about the guild or the shows contact the BAC (Burlington Art Centre).


    Copyright © 1996-2005 Ruthe Stowe