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Cayuga Museum’s Fall Quilt Show
Each year the Cayuga Museum compliments the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center’s “Quilts=Art=Quilts” show with a quilting exhibit of their own. This year, their quilt show features two regional quilters: Sharon Bottle Souva from Syracuse and Marilyn Belford from Chenango Forks. The exhibit is on view now through the end of December. The two artists provide an interesting contrast of styles; Belford's work is more illustrative and pictorial while Souva's is more abstract.
Background on Quilter Sharon Bottle Souva
http://sharonbottlesouva.com/
“Sewing is one of my greatest pleasures. I have been working with needles and fabric in one form or another since I was 9 years old, starting with sewing my own, and then my children’s clothes. I began quilt making in 1976, putting my work on walls instead of beds. This allows a greater freedom in exploring ways to manipulate the fabric. Several years ago I discovered the joys of unfinished edges, and loose threads. These have become an important part of my current work.”
“The needle is an extension of my fingers, the threads and fabric my palette. For me, color and pattern are as equally important as my finished work. Fabric art is appealing to me, and I hope to others, due to the fact that it’s more than a visual art. It is very much linked with our sense of touch and with our memories. I also create a line of home accessories that includes pillows, hot pads, table runners, plus purses and bags.”
Background on Quilter Marilyn Belford
http://www.marilynbelford.com/
"I have always had a penchant for the dramatic," Marilyn admits. "Plays such as Medea, music by Beethoven, and paintings like Guernica by Picasso and German expressionism have always been my preferences. Strong colors like reds and yellows make me tingle."
In her quilting Marilyn draws on both her artistic training in NYC and the rich lore of her Jewish heritage to create her colorful work. "My love of fabric is an extension of my love of color, texture, and shapes," she says. "Fabric in itself is a tool, just like paint is a tool. I use whatever tool is necessary to reproduce the vision inside of me. I enjoy searching out fabric all over the vicinity that will make the appropriate statement for me. I spend delightful hours looking for "angry" fabrics, or "biblical" colors, or for fabrics that will look like an unshaven face."
This love and care for her work resonates with those who see the quilts, praise and prizes coming wherever the sewing is shown. It was while browsing through a fabric store that Marilyn stumbled upon art quilting. "It was as if I were struck by lightning," she explains. "I loved sewing and I loved painting. The art quilt combined the two. That was all I needed- off I went exploring this new avenue."
Cayuga Museum has a new Curator, Lauren Chyle
Chyle shared, “I grew up in State College, PA and attended Kutztown University for my undergraduate studies where I received a BFA in Communication Design, with a concentration in Graphic Design. In graduate school at Syracuse University, I received two Masters’ Degrees, one in Art History and the other in Museum Studies.”
“What drew me to the museum stems from a few things really. I have experience working for large museums where my work was very focused and specialized, but I really enjoy the challenges and opportunities offered in a small museum where I have the ability to get involved in a variety of projects. Rather than just being focused on research, as when I worked with the National Museum of the American Indian, here I can do research as well as education, programming and design- It keeps me busy and is never boring.”
“In my new position, I am really excited about having the opportunity to bring new ideas to the museum by combining my design experience with my museum experience in order to give the museum new ways of displaying their objects and presenting their exhibits. Eileen, the Director, has been trying some new things with exhibit graphics and I feel as though I can help the museum to push the limits of what they have done in the past. I am also excited about the challenges of working in a historic house museum where there are more restrictions on how to use the space. In my previous experience I worked mainly in newer galleries where plain white walls offered limitless options for hanging exhibits. Here I have to consider the fireplaces and mirrors and even the wood paneling. It’s a fun challenge to make the space and the exhibit objects work together.”
Cayuga Museum’s 8th Annual Cocktail Party November 22nd
Kick off the holiday season with a fancy cocktail party in the Willard-Case mansion.
The date is always the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and guests will enjoy catered hors d’oeuvres, festive company and libations.
The main event of the night is a benefit raffle- first prize is $1000, second prize is $500 and third prize is $250. A maximum of only 200 raffle chances are available. Each chance is a $50 donation.
Your chance to win is your admission entrance into the party. Winners need not be present to win, but who would want to miss out on all the fun? To purchase advance tickets please call the museum at 315/253-8051 or mail your check to: Cayuga Museum, 203 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021.
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