Welcome to my material world
As a small child, I loved working with my hands. I especially loved the meditative aspects of fine handwork such as embroidery, knitting, and crochet. My "worlds" come to fruition by my using a number of materials and techniques. Whether I embroider traditional pieces or create my mostly abstract, contemporary art quilts, it is all about the journey and the experience of creation.
Education:
B.A., German Literature, Hiram College, OH
M.S., Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Artist Statement:
I find comfort in seeing and touching traditional fiber crafts such as crocheting, quilting, and embroidery. When creating art, I crave that which goes beyond familiarity of tradition and morph these fiber techniques until they are almost unrecognizable. To this end, I create with unusual materials or interpret the stitch into something completely new. The most invigorating process of creation is combining these techniques together to express an idea, feeling, or my aesthetic. There is magic in the potentiality of material and stitch and its ability to uplift us whether we are the observer or creator.
Work:
After working a number of years in academic and public libraries as well as working as a market analyst for a large corporation, I decided to pursue my life's passion - creating art through fiber. Since 2005, I've been creating art quilts on commission for area patrons and have only recently begun showing my quilts in state and national shows.
Awards:
2020 Certificate of Merit, Virginia Beach Art Center
2018 Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival, 1st place for wall art
2008 Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Kirtland, OH. Honorable Mention, "Large Wall Hanging, Pieced, Machine Quilted" for "Slient Aspen", 2008
2007 Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Kirtland, OH. 2nd place, "Small Mixed Techniques" for "Going in Circles", 2007
Selected Exhibitions:
2021 Art in Translation, SAQA regional exhibit June 1 - July 22, 2021: The Gallery at Penn College, Williamsport, PA
2019 - 2022 Studio Art Quilt Associates, “3 D Expressions”
Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rabpids, MI, Sept 23-Nov 3, 2019
Reginia A Quick Center for the Arts, St Bonaventure, NY Feb 8-April 30, 2020
Ross Museum of Art, Delaware OH, May 14-July 2, 2021
Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Lauren, MS Aug 23-Nov 13, 2022
2019 Vogue Knitting LIVE, Invited featured Artist
2018 C6 Gallery, Chambersburg, PA
2018 Lion Brand Yarn Studio Gallery, NYC, June-Aug
2016 Gallery at Penn College, “Connected by Stitch”, Studio Art Quilt Associates Pennsylvania regional Exhibition, Oct 22 - Dec 8
2011, Some Things Looming Fiber Arts Gallery, "Size Matters", Reading PA, May-Sept
2010, Lehigh Valley Arts Council, Allentown, Sept - Oct.
2010, The Gallery at the Allentown Jewish Community Center, July 15 - August 30
2008 Denver National Quilt Festival, Denver, CO May 1 - May 4
2008 Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Kirtland, OH Feb 8 - March 19
2007 Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XIV, Harrisburg, PA "Silent Aspen" and "I Never Promised you a Rose Garden", Sept. 6 - Sept. 9
2007 Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Kirtland, OH Feb 9 - March 21
Memberships:
Publications/News:
Barrett, Kelley, “’Raise the Reef’ Tuesdays Connects Lehigh to the Community”, Lehigh University News , Oct 2019 https://www2.lehigh.edu/news/raise-the-reef-tuesdays-connects-lehigh-to-the-community
Hakol, January 2015, http://issuu.com/jflv_hakol/docs/january_hakol_2015_events_1-8_web/5?e=2579737%2F10650407
The Lehigh Valley Jewish Newspaper, Hakol, April, 2010 (featured in "Homes" section)
The Lehigh Valley Arts Council Newsletter, "Inside the Arts: Featured Artist", Sept/Oct 2010
Vehslage, Carolyn Lee, "Have you ever been approached to do a commission?" SAQA Journal 19.3 (2009): 6-11