Invitation to the show

If you can't make it to the Closing reception do try to get to view the show in the gallery.

The show is on from August 22 - September 12 from 7am - 12am daily (including Labour Day)

Visit ACAD website for map and parking details 

Residency Exhibition 2011: "Collaboration"

Below, clay and fibre ecoprint duo by Anne Fetterly:


Who knew we needed a 30 foot ladder instead of a 20 footer to hang my piece? Below, arlee barr, unhung....

Melinda Topilko and Lindsay Joy set up the Women's Assertiveness Army--sorry, Blossoms, not sure of real title.

AnnaMaria Zatko and friend hanging AnnaMaria's pieces:



Exquisite small embroidered piece by Amanda _____?


AnnaMaria's 2 pieces:


Silk painted Dress by _____:


Silk painted scarf by Karin Bissonette (?):



Below, Julie Baratta and Tara hang Ashley's work:


Stunning knit piece by (?):





Karin Millson's disperse dye work:



Below Margo (?) checks the art levels of her work:


Tara (Griffiths) with her screenprinted yardage:



Angela ____? marbleized scarf:

Margo (?)'s work:



A few people and art pieces missing, and some unidentified because i'm not sure of names to go with what, but a taste nonetheless!

Post and photos at a later date of the complete show set up for viewing.

2011 Summer Residency Calendar of Events

To view the calendar of events for this years summer residency, just click here. You can also see the next few events in the list located in the upper right hand corner of the blog, all summer long.

2011 Contextural Self Directed Summer Residency - Call for Submissions

For the past three years, Contextural: a fibre arts cooperative has held a hugely successful summer residency program within the studios of the Alberta College of Art + Design, Fibre Department. We are now getting ready for our fourth residency and are currently inviting expressions of interest from fibre artists and students who are interested in working within a co-operative studio setting and are seeking affordable studio space with specialized dye and print equipment.

One month and three month residencies are available.

Dates for the one month residency are May 29^th – June 26^th or July 24^th – Aug 21^st

Dates for the three month residency are May 29^th –Aug 21^st

Please visit www.contextural.ca for more information on our vision statement, goals and values.

Interested parties should send an application as directed in the submission requirements below to: residency@contextural.ca with the subject: Summer Residency Application

Deadline for submissions is April 1st @ midnight.

Again this year, Contextural is offering the Contextural Summer Residency Scholarship, consisting of studio fees for the three month summer residency ($250 value) and $250 for supplies. The scholarship will be awarded based on the quality and completeness of the application.

**Please note: Although Contextural Members are not required to submit an application to participate in the residency, members must submit an application for consideration for the Contextural Summer Residency Scholarship**

Submission Requirements: Please attach the following to the body of your submission email.

1. Statement of intent that addresses the following (maximum two pages total, please no point form) – What specific goals do you have for your time at the residency? Describe your strengths in terms of the Contextural values as listed on the residency call for submission.
2. CV (max 2 pages) – Please include the following information as it pertains to the residency: professional training (educational background, mentors, workshops, etc.), exhibition or public presentation history (including the dates, titles, names and locations of galleries or place of presentation, whether solo or group shows), collections: public, corporate and private, bibliography of critical reviews of your work, prizes, awards and other grants and any other activities related to your practice.
3. Artist Statement (maximum 1 page) – Please note this is not a biography or a cover letter, but rather a short insight on your creative process, philosophy, vision, and passion.
4. 5-6 images of your work – relevent to the work you intend to do in the space. (images should be in jpeg format, 72 dpi and maximum 1024 x 768 pixels). Please contact residency@contextural.ca if you need assistance to modify your images.
5. Image list – including title, date, medium and dimensions of artwork

In the body of the submission email please indicate whether you are applying for the one month (which month June or August) or three month residency.

Questions may be directed by email to residency@contextural.ca

We look forward to your submission!

We cordially invite you to become a Contextural fibre arts cooperative member!

We are currently inviting expressions of interest from those who would like to be a part of this dynamic and vital new addition to Calgary's cultural scene as members of Contextural fibre arts cooperative!

We are seeking individuals who:

• Are interested in working within a co-operative studio setting
• Will be actively involved in, and contribute to, our community
• Seek access to affordable studio space and specialized equipment
• Are interested in sharing their knowledge and skills through teaching and collaboration
• Appreciate and practice the diversity of textile arts and craft
• Embrace an environmental approach to studio production
• Will contribute to co-op activities such as promotion, fund-raising, business development and maintenance

Membership benefits:

• participation in 1 annual gallery exhibition
• a chance to be part of a growing fibre community
• participation in 6 group meetings with "crit" like sharing
• first choice to participate in summer residency
• reduced price participating in other Contextural events
• artist gallery page on Contextural website

Membership fee: $50 per year

Please visit www.contextural.ca

for more information and submission requirements

The Show and Sale November - 2010

The Contextural show and sale on Saturday went really well.  Not only was it positively buzzing with visitors, but it also brought in lots of funds and everyone enjoyed the chilli and punch/wine/coffee +/- Bailey's.... Thanks go out to everyone who spread the word.

There were wall pieces, screen prints, cards and labels, books, natural dye, devore, necklaces, felt, shibori, bags, belts, scarves, hats, and oh so much more... 

Congratulations to everyone who took part.  And thanks to all those who supported us. Wishing everyone a happy seasonal time.

 The nerve centres - 

Sales counter!

And kitchen - yum!

words,wit,wisdom,and wool

words,wit,wisdom,and wool

November 6 - December 24,2010

Opening Reception: Saturday November 13 from 2-4pm

Alberta Craft Council Discovery Gallery 10186 - 106 Street, Edmonton AB

“words, wit, wisdom, and wool” draws its name from both the inspiration and the materials for this exhibition. “words, wit & wisdom” came from a series of texts - erotica, poetry, short stories, lyrics, and personal musing - that have one thing in common; they are all written by and or are about the gay male experience, while “wool” comes from one of the major building blocks of the series - industrial wool felt. The series will include a variety of techniques, applique and embroidery both machine and hand wrought.

Matt Gould has been a practicing artists for over thirty years with work in private and public collections across Canada, the US and in Europe. Matt’s addiction to linen, wool and gingham has inspired him to created pieces large and small. “I enjoy the mechanics of the work, giving ‘mistakes’ their due. I enjoy being a man challenging stereotypes and perceptions as to what is an what is not acceptable as a masculine pursuit.”

This exhibition is presented in partnership with Exposure: Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival. Exposure questions & inspires,

celebrates & expands, the spectrum of queer expression.

2010 Contextural Christmas Artist Show & Sale

Please join Contextural members in celebrating the long awaited return of our Christmas Artist Show & Sale just in time for Christmas! Come see, touch and buy unique hand-made items from over a dozen local artists. Be sure to pop in for a treat and to see this amazing work, perfect for everyone on your shopping list!

Contextural Christmas Artist Show & Sale

Saturday, November 20th

11:00am - 7:00pm

2021 6th Ave NW, Calgary (West Hillhurst)

This is a FREE event. Payments can be made by cash, cheque and credit card.

Contextural is a community of textile artists fostering a cooperative creative environment in support of the production of new artistic works. The cooperative provides functional, affordable fibre studio space. Contextural contributes to the professional advancement of our members and cultivates educational activities.

Please visit www.contextural.ca for more information on Contextural: a fibre arts cooperative.

coming up roses

And why am i showing this on the group blog? Because if you have any interest in eco printing with rose leaves (and a few other leaf types as well), i am a floral designer by day--that means i have access to rose leaves all year round. If you'd like any, just contact me and i'll save you some, no cost, no hidden agenda.

The photo on top was done with leaves from a naturalized Alberta rosa, leaving delicate prints, but not a lot of detail. The ones below were done with commercial rose leaves, resulting in a more robust and at the same time finely detailed print.



All done on silk, cooked for 2 hours with a small alum mordant, then left for 4 days to ripen.

DOCUMENTATION exhibition

Dana Roman:

Siri McCormick:




Lynn Pfleuger:
Melinda Topilko:



Anne Fetterley:


Karin Millson:



Tara Griffiths:

Julie Baratta:

arlee barr:



For more photos, please go to Karin's posts at her blog; One, two and three.

I apologize too for not including some of the photos i took--they were left out only because the shots did not turn out clearly, not to slight anyone! Please, if you have any, do add them!