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A Trio of textile-related exhibits
A trio of textile-related exhibits opens at the Atrium Art Gallery, Friday, April 17, with a
reception free and open to the public from 6-8 p.m.
In the main gallery, the exhibition “Alice Spencer –– Fabricating Time: Paintings and Collected Textiles” features work by Portland artist Alice Spencer inspired by textiles from around the world. Accompanying paintings created over the past four years are textiles from her personal collection.
Spencer’s travels have taken her to Mongolia, Uzbekistan, China, Guatemala, Indonesia and other countries with strong textile traditions. She has acquired many pieces from the cultures where they were made and often from the actual maker or owner. The folk textiles include garments from simple to elaborate as well as decorative but functional items used in the home. The pieces are often lavishly embroidered, dyed and woven by hand. The imagery in the paintings is a combination of pattern and color, which Spencer rearranges and redefines in layers that result in richly engaging surfaces.
Alice Spencer’s career includes over 20 solo exhibitions. Her work has been shown extensively throughout Maine, New England, and New York, and has been featured in exhibitions at the U.S. embassies in Chile and Bosnia Herzegovina and the United Nations in New York. She is co-founder of Peregrine Press, a printmaking cooperative in Portland, and teaches at the Maine College of Art continuing studies program. She served on the board of the Maine College of Art and chaired the City of Portland Public Art Committee.
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| In the adjacent gallery, there are over 40 works by local members of the Southern Maine Chapter of The Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Inc. The exhibit includes a treasure of items: samplers, intricate geometric designs, needle cases for storing sewing accessories, beadwork, purses, and more. The group of 15 members carefully selected their own work to represent many techniques in needle arts: blackwork, crazy patchwork, crewel, cutwork, Hardanger, needlepoint, beadwork, embroidery techniques of counted thread, Casalguidi, cross stitch, pulled thread, and others. Members who have work in the exhibit are Susan Allison, Claire Austin, Serena Dube, Barbara Hepburn, Linda Marchand, Karen Mosher, Jean Ness, Joanne Pennington, Denise Pratt, Marilyn Sames, Tanya Schwanda, Laurie Sims, Carol Thomas, Jill Snyder Wallace, and Bridget Whiting. |
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Susan Allison,Greene, Maine, "A Treasure of Memories," 20 x 20", crazy patchwork: various stitches and fabrics; found objects |
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Jill Snyder Wallace, Minot, Maine, "Red Dress," 5 3/4" x 3 ½", surface embroidery/appliqué: cotton floss threads on cotton fabric; vintage photo interpretation. designer: Jill Snyder Wallace. |
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The title of the exhibition, “Stitches That Bind,” also makes reference to the friendships that have developed among members. There is much sharing of information and support with members having an enthusiasm for helping novice needle workers. The group also does community outreach projects.
“Our needlework is not only influenced by our mothers, grandmothers and friends, but by cultures from around the world,” remarked member Jill Snyder Wallace. “It’s exciting to have this opportunity to share what we do.” |
The group meets monthly and will be having their May meeting in the Atrium Art Gallery on Tuesday, May 12, from 6-9 p.m. The group will set up in the exhibit area and invite anyone interested in needle work to attend, ask questions, bring needlework, or just observe as members work on projects. Refreshments will be served. The meeting is free and open to the public.
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The third textile-related exhibit is in the display window of the Franco-American Collection down the hall from the Atrium Art Gallery. Featured will be antique pieces from the early 1900s on including hand-embroidered linens, garments, and other items.
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