SOQS Announces Two Job Postings

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show is hiring two positions:

SOQS is seeking a full-time, year round Assistant Director who will primarily focus on logistical management to produce the annual Quilt Show and related events.

The world’s largest outdoor quilt show includes a week of complex and multi-layered events. More than 500 long-time and experienced volunteers provide labor in more than 800 different volunteer job roles.

The Assistant Director works  in partnership with the Executive Director and the seasonal staff and experienced volunteers  to provide leadership and comprehensive logistical management for the successful production of  events. Primary activities involve working directly with community and business partners; outreach, publicity, and promotion; program and event management (logistics and operations); and working with long-time, knowledgeable volunteer teams.  These projects include collaborations among fiber artists, quilters (locally, regionally, and nationally) and culture tourism and community partners in Central Oregon.

The prime candidate will have experience producing large, complex events demonstrating daily leadership, strategic thinking, and experience implementing multiple projects simultaneously.  Digital experience with online community engagement and social media would be beneficial to someone stepping into this role.

The SOQS event cycle means that the role has high peaks and shallow troughs of workload throughout the year. The Assistant Director is expected to manage their time effectively to accommodate the increases in demand.

Delivery of a superb creative and artistically beautiful Quilt Show resulting in a festival that is a success for the organization, as well as the community that benefits from the large cultural tourism impact of the show, is a huge reward for the right person in this role.

Compensation, schedule and work site details will be negotiated with finalist candidates.

To Receive a full Job Description: E-MAIL your request to info@SOQS.org

To Apply: Please send your application, including name, full contact information, education history, salary requirements and your qualifications and experience, addressing the areas of responsibilities in the job description. Attach resume, references, and samples of either personally-developed written event proposals and/or promotional materials.   E-MAIL to info@SOQS.org   or MAIL TO: Assistant Director, Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show; 220 S. Ash St. #4, Sisters, OR  97759.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
SOQS is seeking a part-time, year round Administrative Assistant, as the front-office support for the effective administration of the organization.

The world’s largest outdoor quilt show includes a week of complex and multi-layered events. More than 500 long-time and experienced volunteers provide labor in more than 800 different volunteer job roles.  The Administrative Assistant reports to the Executive Director, and works with the seasonal staff and experienced volunteers for the successful production of the annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and related events.

The prime candidate will have administrative experience including Microsoft Office, project management software (such as Basecamp), and  Access Database experience. Digital experience with online community engagement and social media would be beneficial. The SOQS event cycle means that the role has high peaks and shallow troughs of workload throughout the year. The Administrative Assistant is expected to manage the workload and their time effectively to accommodate the increases in demand during high-peak season. Compensation, schedule and work site details will be negotiated with finalist candidates.

To receive a full job description: email info@soqs.org

To Apply:   Please send your resume, including name, full contact information, education history, salary requirements and your qualifications and experience, addressing the areas of responsibilities in the job description, by December 22, 2014. Attach resume and three references.   E-MAIL to info@SOQS.org   or MAIL TO: Administrative Assistant, Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show; 220 S. Ash St. #4, Sisters, OR  97759.

I Met the Challenge by . . .

. . .  finishing my postcard for the Wish Upon A Card project.  Since my March post, I’ve had a variety of adventures along my journey to completing the card.  A visit to the east coast led me to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. where the Flowers painting by William H. Johnson is housed – one of the inspiration pieces for my card.  Dimension and texture were pronounced in this painting on plywood which is absent in any photo of the work.  My personal challenge was to incorporate new (new to me) textural stitches into my fabric card.  Armed with the Creative Stitches book by Sue Spargo, I managed four new stitches:  the bullion and french knots along with the threaded and double threaded backstitches.  Most of the handwork was completed while sitting on the beach of the Outer Banks of North Carolina incorporating relaxation and sunshine into each stitch.

While in D.C. I took the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes viewing of some of the quilts in the collection housed by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.  Photos are allowed but no flash photography.  If you’re in the area, a visit is worth the time but you’ll need a reservation which must be made by contacting the Textile Collection of the Museum at 202-633-3825.  To view most of the quilts in the Museum’s collection, click here.

An unexpected treat while in the nation’s capital – a special quilt exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts through April 27th.  Workt by Hand – Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts was organized by the Brooklyn Museum with quilts dating from 1795 to 1995.  An exceptional display of quilts that allowed the viewer to sit, view and appreciate the craft or is it a fine art? Find out more by clicking here.

 

Kathy Pazera

Special Project Coordinator

 

“Fabrications: The Art of Quilting” Reception & Exhibit

In partnership with the Art in the Atrium @ Franklin Crossing, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show kicked off its third annual Fabrications – The Art of Quilting Exhibit at the First Friday Art Walk in Bend on March 7.

The only juried art and contemporary quilt exhibit in Central Oregon includes forty  quilts by 30 different artists.  The show was juried by quilter, Sheila Finzer of Terrebonne, and water colorist and arts educator, Judy Hoiness of Bend.  Jurist Finzer notes, “The artists pushed the envelope with the varied use of surface design and manipulation of the fabrics.”   According to jurist Hoiness, “More artists are taking risks making this exhibit stunning in its color and dimension.”   Jean Wells, quilter and founder of  the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, said, ” This is truly an inspired regional showcase featuring the tremendous creativity, innovation, and talent of fiber artists from Central Oregon and beyond.”

Attendees at the reception were able to mix and mingle with more than 15 quilt artists, enjoy live music from Jazz Bros!, and indulge in savory appetizers from Noi Thai.  It was a fun and lively evening paying tribute to the artists and their artistic vision.   Visit our  Facebook page for a complete library of photos.

About a third of the quilts are for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, a non-profit organization known for its annual outdoor quilt show – the largest of its kind in the world – on Saturday July 12.  While educating the public about quilt making, the organization continues to carry out the American tradition of quilters, helping to meet community needs.  According to Jeanette Pilak, Executive Director of SOQS,  “In the past ten years, SOQS has raised more than $80,000 for our community partners, making the Quilt Show a year-round important citizen of the town.”

Fabrications-The Art of Quilting Exhibit will be on display until March 30 at the Franklin Crossing Building located at 55 NW Franklin Avenue in downtown Bend. To purchase a quilt or for more information, contact Billy Turner, art consultant, Franklin Crossing exhibition curator  at 503-780-2828 or billyeturner@bendnet.com

Tammy Ambrose, Events Director, Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

I Took the Challenge . . . .

. . .  have you?  The SOQS announced a Call for Fabric Postcard Entries for the Wish Upon A Card project.  The” skies the limit” in regards to the design of the 4″ x 6″ card, using any type of fabric BUT there is also an optional Challenge – these cards must incorporate the  Michael Miller Challenge Fabric  (and SOQS will provide the fabric swatch).  Yes, I’m taking the Challenge.  As a SOQS employee working directly on the project, I do NOT qualify for any of the cash prizes – I just enjoy trying  something new.  For an entry to be juried for the Silent Auction or the Michael Miller Challenge, it must be received by April 15th.  Please note all entries are donated to SOQS as a fundraiser for Wendy’s Wish.

Inspiration from Forrest

The inspiration I’m using for my card comes from the work of American artist William H. Johnson referred to as “Flowers”  and artwork from my son, Forrest, when he was in second grade  – yikes, that’s 12 years ago! I was first introduced to Johnson’s work via a U.S. postage stamp released in 2012.  Another challenge –  I plan to add textural stitches demonstrated in Sue Spargo’s book – Creative Stitching.  Many of the stitches are new to me but I’m looking forward to learning as I travel this path.

Next month, I’ll share the finished card along with the experiences I encountered along way.   Happy trails on your creative journey.

Kathy Pazera

Special Projects Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Donor Appreciation Event – An evening of Color and Creativity

Reversible Quilt -Color Blind and Color Blinded by Wendy Hill

Color was on tap for the SOQS  Donor Appreciation event.  After checking the very cold temperatures at the door (yes – this was the Wednesday evening before the BIG snowfall), color and creativity greeted and warmed the guests.  An exhibition of mixed media artwork – “4 Voices”  sung out in bright hues, appetizers echoed colors of the rainbow – too attractive to consume (but somehow everyone managed!), and the “Natural Affinity” quilt exhibit by Wendy Hill and Pat Pease bedazzled the eye.   Wine, appetizers and ideas filled the first hour as guests shared with each other and viewed the artwork and quilts up close.  Jeremy Storton’s soft music on guitar complimented the evening.

Color Blind and Color Blinded, a reversible king size quilt by Wendy Hill served as the backdrop for the evening’s presentation by Wendy and Pat.  They shared their approach to design, their views on color and composition and their collaborative process.  “Natural Affinity” was on display at Pacific International Quilt Festival this past fall. If you would like to see these quilts,  they will be on display this summer at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.  To view a photo album of the evening’s festivities visit us on our Facebook page.

Gather Round the Table for Delicious Appetizers

Square Dance – one panel of quilt by Wendy Hill & Pat Pease

One Orange Dot by Pat Pease

Wish Upon A Card – Fabric Postcards For Silent Auction Selected

WOW – lots of creativity blended with a variety of colors in the shape of postcards flood the office. A big thanks to all those artists who submitted a fabric postcard(s) to be juried for the silent auction and/or the Michael Miller Fabric Challenge Contest.

Challenge Fabric 1st Place

Every time a postcard entry arrived, it was the first envelope opened with lots of thrilled reviews. Challenge fabric entries often brought much joy and laughter for us — many artists took a whimsical approach while some added words and a “wink” to their art. After all, with a challenge fabric named “Tiki Winki” how can it not conjure up creations that make you smile. Marion Shimoda’s first place Challenge card does just that. Kate Speckman, in second place created a serene view of paradise using the Challenge fabric in 25% of her creative piece but makes a relaxing statement. A modern art approach was taken by Kristin Shields for third place. To view all the Challenge winners visit us on Facebook –last 5 photos in the album.

Made by Lisa and Lori Lubbesmeyer

While you’re there, take a look at the fabric postcards for this year’s silent auction – a benefit for Wendy’s Wish. Incredible work from artists throughout the United States. For the folks who follow the local art scene here in Central Oregon, this year Lisa and Lori Lubbesmeyer entered a landscape scene – one of their trademarks.

See a special card you’d like to own or give as a gift? The Challenge winners and silent auction cards will be framed by High Desert Frameworks! and displayed in Sisters the week of July 7 – 13 ready for bidding. Don’t fancy the silent auction process? Well, each framed card will also have a buy it now price.

Reminder:  If you didn’t get a chance to submit a fabric postcard for the silent auction or fabric contest, now is your chance.  We are still accepting cards to sell until July 1st.

Donor Appreciation Event at Atelier 6000

Atelier 6000 – or A6 –the more common reference – was transformed into a spring setting for our Major Donor Event.  Great food – Tate and Tate catered, good music – Jeremy Storton from Sisters was the musician for the evening, an outstanding presentation by Judy Hoiness and Jean Wells and of course mix that with a lot of creative people and it’s a recipe for a good time.  Oh – almost forgot – add wine and beer to bring it up a notch – a great time!

About 60 guests mixed and mingled in the A6 art gallery while viewing the collagraphs and the raffle bike and quilt.  Artwork by Kathy Deggendorfer adorns this year’s raffle bike – to sum up the guest’s reactions to this one-of-a-kind bike – AWESOME.   

Printing presses lined the studio where appetizers and friendship were shared.  Most appropriate, it also served as the backdrop for Jean and Judy’s presentation – the same studio where many of their collaborative creations came to life.  Judy’s background in watercolor and Jean’s background in contemporary art quilts meshed into incredible pieces of art.  Finished and in-process pieces were shared as was the “how” they collaborate on a piece.  Guests were amazed at not only the product but the freedom to just try different things.  Both Jean and Judy expressed that the creative process is a joy for them. 

Inspiration was in the air at the conclusion of the evening.  To see what that looks like, click here
.

Thanks to all t…

Thanks to all those folks who befriended the show as a member during the fun filled week of quilting in Sisters – July 8^th – 15th.  I enjoyed meeting and greeting so many new faces as I talked about the benefits of membership throughout the week.  Thanks to all those folks who took the time to listen!

During Show Day afternoon I planned a little time off from my duties at the Information Booth to enjoy the quilts and take a few photos.   The next day one viewer commented to me – one minute the town was filled with colorful quilts and the next moment they were gone.  The Quilt Rescue Team and many other volunteers implemented our emergency plan and it worked great. BUT, Mother Nature ending the Show 2 ½ hours early did reduce our income for the Show by about $15,000 (quilts sales and raffle ticket sales).

If Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (SOQS) is an important event for you and others you know, think about showing your support with a membership.  During a quiet moment read through the member brochure you received during your visit or go to our website under the Support button and refer to Friend of the Show.  Membership to SOQS — a non-profit — is just one of the income sources that contributes toward the $155,000+ price tag for the largest outdoor quilt show in the world.

Stay on the sunny side of life – especially during an outdoor quilt show!!!

Kathy Pazera
SOQS Friendraiser Coordinator

Two Rivers Three Sisters: A Masterpiece of Contemporary American Fiber Art

The artwork formerly known as the Quilt for Two Rivers has a new name: Two Rivers Three Sisters.  Fiber artists collaborating on the installation are blogging about their quilt panels for the 40-foot masterpiece, which honors Sisters, Oregon’s Wild & Scenic Rivers.  Featured this week:

TWO RIVERS THREE SISTERS: A MASTERPIECE OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN FIBER ART

We’ve come to the last stitches in the fabric.  And we couldn’t be more delighted with the new fiber artwork that has been seven months in the making.

Two Rivers Three Sisters–originally called the Quilt for Two Rivers after the National Forest Foundation’s Tale of Two Rivers conservation campaign, and rechristened by Facebook contest winner Teresa Mitchell of Star, ID–is complete and on exhibit.

The completed Two Rivers Three Sisters quilt, with Wild & Scenic Whychus Creek running through it

True to its art form, the quilt tells a story.  It reveals how native steelhead and salmon are returning to our local streams.  It honors the traditions of Native Americans who lived along Whychus and the Metolius for generations.  It features the geography of Whychus Creek, shows the change of seasons in foliage, conveys the weather, is true to how the creekside landscape changes from high to lower elevations.

It’s an American original, a masterpiece of modern folk art.  The artistic styles of 19 quilters blend into a unified piece that can only be described as magnificent–if we do say so ourselves!

And what’s truly magical about the 40-foot quilt is the way it is going to live on.  It will live on in the new stewards we’ve created who care about two very special places, Whychus Creek and the Metolius River…

…in a traveling exhibition which will take the quilt all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond, following its display during the month of July at the 2012 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show…

…and in those who view it in its eventual home. (Send inquiries about procuring the quilt to ann@sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org.)

The quilt is now available for viewing in the lobby of the Black Butte Ranch Lodge.  Join us there for a free reception to celebrate the artists and artistry of the work on June 15 at 5 p.m.

Two Rivers Three Sisters is the product of a unique collaboration between the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, the National Forest Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service.  We want to let the funders who made the project possible know how much we appreciate their support.  Thank you!

Presenting Sponsor – US Bank

Funders:

• National Forest Foundation
• Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show
• U.S. Forest Service
• Deschutes County Cultural Coalition
• Deschutes County Economic Development Fund Discretionary Grant Oregon Arts Commission with support from the National Endowment for the Arts
• Roundhouse Foundation
• Deschutes Land Trust
• Deschutes River Conservancy

–Ann Richardson, Executive Director, Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

 

Two Rivers Three Sisters: How It All Came Together

The artwork formerly known as the Quilt for Two Rivers has a new name: Two Rivers Three Sisters.  Fiber artists collaborating on the installation are blogging about their quilt panels for the 40-foot masterpiece, which honors Sisters, Oregon’s Wild & Scenic Rivers.  Featured this week:

Last summer I was approached by Ann Richardson of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show to help in creating and implementing the Quilt for Two Rivers, now renamed Two Rivers Three Sisters.  Nationally, a few art quilt groups  have created a project like this in the past and when I reviewed the work I was really excited to take on the task.

I designed the layout of the river, created a few ground rules, cut blank paper the size of each quilt, marking only where the river was to enter and exit the artist’s quilt.  We then invited 20 art quilters to participate in the project.  It was up to the individual quilter to design and create her own collaborative piece of art.

The quilting group was invited to a day of hiking and education with representatives from the National Forest Foundation (NFF), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and Deschutes Land Trust (DLT) which intrigued me since  I have lived in Central Oregon for 28 years and really enjoy the outdoors.

That day was quite an eye opener!

Whychus Creek runs through Sisters, Oregon on the way to the Deschutes River and until recently, it ran dry in places by summer.  This would happen due to water for irrigation rights being drawn from Whychus Creek through the upper end of Central Oregon. I was so impressed when I found out about the efforts of the NFF, USFS, Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, Deschutes River Conservancy and DLT to restore this river, bringing the fish and vegetation back!

One of Whychus Creek’s many canyons

I created the last quilt in the series because my vision was to have the river wind into a canyon as there are so many beautiful rock cliffs in the area.  Taking pictures, and drawing from memories of my hiking experiences, I created an abstract quilt that completes the river mural. The techniques used were curved piecing with machine appliqué and beadwork added for a final touch.

Donna Rice with her Two Rivers Three Sisters quilt panel

My hope is that not only the artists will have enjoyed their donation to river restoration but that viewers of the Two Rivers Three Sisters quilt will learn from, and respect the efforts of, the many people involved.

It really does take a village of devoted individuals to successfully complete an important project of this magnitude.

–Donna Rice