Burlington Handweavers & Spinners Guild
Juried Show 2000
"Bold is Beautiful"

Quoted from the Hamilton Spectator: Friday, May 26, 2000

Local retailer Monica Scrivener was asked to be the judge for the show and was "so impressed by the quality of the execution".
Scrivener, whose background is in fashion and interior design, says that she had good advisors to help her judge technical details.
"My real expertise is in esthetics and I know beautiful textiles. But I was mainly concerned with the final product. No matter how beautiful the material is, it's really not good unless you can make it into something attractive or useful".
Scrivener cites Joan Lidkie's two piece bathing suit, which won a prize for Best Use of Colour, as an example. Lidkie made the cotton bikini in a tangerine and navy herringbone patterned fabric that would fairly compete with the sun's dazzle on any beach. She describes the bathing suit as "whimsical" and wonder if anyone would actually dare to wear it, but Scrivener's remarks add another dimension: "Wow -- it's reminiscent of Chanel fabrics from the '50s and '60s. That colour is so provocative --think of Jackie O. for instance."

These pictures are only a few of the entries, enjoy!

Lucy Slykerman Bold - the colours in this piece are bold. Beautiful - The way the colours are shifted along the length of the shawl make it beautiful. Using a weave structure that creates one side that is warp emphasized, maximizes the colour effect of the side. Also, using a structure that creates little patterns over the entire shawl, contrasts effectively with the bold, dramatic colour changes in the piece. Over dying the piece with a "scrunched" effect too away the garish look the shawl had when it was first completed. Technique - warp painted, weft hand dyed, over dyed, 8 shaft structure, unbalanced 100 % silk.

"Spanish Sensation" Shawl *** Award: Best Expression of Theme

"Christmas in the Country" Jacket *** Award: Good Expression of Theme

Mary Armbrust Bold - the strong contrasting Christmas colours with gold accents. Beautiful - because all the design principles are represented. The figures are in proportion to the jacket, the textures are harmonious to the design of the garment. Rhythm is represented by repetition of figures and lines. The trees at the front give emphasis near the face and the balance is symmetrical. Technique - 8 harness Summer and Winter figures with tabby background. Cotton

Elizabeth Jarvis Bold - The broad band is a bold stylized representation of a cranberry harvest. Bold, courageous of material. Beautiful - Some "wet", dark, red "berries" are boxed in the colours of the bog, water and leaves. Other "berries" are still in the bog. The "berries" protect the leaf curls when the basket lies on its side. Technique - Plain weave, twining, curling. Flat reed, flat-oval reed, round reed, sea grass, wooden beads.

"Bog-Berry Basket" round multi-purpose basket *** Award: Juror's Choice

"How many ways can I cut this cloth?" (left top)Three Rag Placemats *** Award: OCC Design Award

Eleanor Roberts Bold - Colour, pattern. (red, orange, blue) Beautiful - In my white kitchen, against my cherry wood table, colour of mats is close to overwhelming. I love the colour Technique - 3 different patterns. Material cut, sewn together, then cut into 1 1/4" strips. Content linen/acrylic and polycotton material. Barbara Reid "Kitchen Delight" Tea Towel(bottom right)(no award) Bold - Size and placement of the colour stripes Beautiful - Use of colour stripes, which complement each other. Technique - Norwegian Huck, 4 shaft. Cotton

Joan Lidkie Bold - colour and design Beautiful - This woven piece is not the usual bathing suit fabric and because of its bold colours and woven design, it is an item of beauty rather than functional. Whimsical perhaps! Technique - cotton

"Fun in the Sun" Two Piece Bathing Suit *** Award: Best Use of Colour

"The Sun, The Forest and the Lake" Jacket with Hood *** Award: Best New Weaver, Past President's Award

Jennifer Earle Bold - I found the combination of colours made a definite statement. Also, the challenge of designing in the reed and weaving mohair was definitely a bold ('reed' brave) undertaking. Beautiful - I find colour very stimulating and I like the way they seem to overlap and mix. The proportions of colours in the woven clothing balance the exposed areas of lining. The luster of the mohair adds luxury to a casual style of jacket. It feels great on -- so sumptuous! Technique - Warp faced twill used crosswise. Warp designed in the reed. Dorset buttons stitched with pearl cotton. Mohair with polyester micro fleece lining.

Joyce Newman Bold - Pastels from all around the colour wheel are a bold departure from my usual analogous colour schemes Beautiful - Bright, but muted, says, "Summer Garden".

"Garden in the Mist" Scarf *** Award: Fiber Works Award

"Winter Garden" Off White Hat with Flowers *** Award: Honourable Mention

Jennifer Earle Bold - I believe that the whimsy of the design makes this a bold piece of apparel. This is not a conservative hat. Beautiful - It is beautiful because it buoys up spirits during the snows of the Canadian winter which is the time of the year when I dream of gardens and blooms. This is designed to bring a smile to the face of the wearer and the beholder. Technique - Felting of wool fibre with some inlay. Wool fleece

Bold - Silver lines in design Beautiful - flowing silica beads and crystals in fringe Technique - Peyote stitch. Silica Beads and crystals	Bold - Design Beautiful - Colour of beds and fringe is reminiscent of stained glass window Technique - Peyote stitch. Silica Beads and crystals.	Bold - Design Beautiful - Glowing gold tones and amber and gold fringe. Technique - peyote stitch. Silica beads and crystals, etc.
"untitled" Amulet Purse	"Stained Glass" Amulet Purse	"untitled" Amulet Purse

Ingrid Boesel Bold - This technique allows clean, clear graphics in high contrast colours. Beautiful - The image is whimsical and evokes a smile. It is beautiful because the image is easy to read, which is unusual for loom controlled weaving. The colours reflect the subject. Technique - Taquete, 24 shafts - 100 % silk

"April Showers Bring May Flowers" Wall Hanging

"Iris" Scarf

Ruthe Stowe Bold - Colour Beautiful - Iridescent colours of spring irises. Technique - Twill variations in cotton

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