News from Sievers School

A picture-perfect Summer Solstice day greeted us this morning.  Many of the Island’s wildflowers are blooming and the family of mute swans are swimming in Jackson Harbor.  Here are some Island scenes for this official first day of summer:

Quiltmaker, author and publisher Marianne Fons will present “Why We Quilt” on Tuesday, August 12th at 7:30 p.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.  Sponsored by Bread & Water and Sievers, Marianne will examine the many reasons American women, past and present, have devoted their time to the design and construction of quilts in a thought provoking and entertaining way.  We look forward to Marianne’s return to the Island and to her presentation.

Studio Visits 

Time is set aside each Thursday when two classes are in session for a “field trip”. When classes visit each other, they are able to see not only finished pieces, but also the process behind that particular fiber art.  Here we have basketmakers paying a visit to the Finnish Knitting and Crochet class:

   June 5, 2008

We have 10 “Beyond Beginning” weaving students in our class this week, team taught by Jean Hutchison and Lou French.  Each student is working on a different project ranging from a shawl woven with silk and wool to a rag rug.  This group is helping one of their fellow students wind the warp onto her loom:

Coming up in June will be Beginning Spinning and Rainbow Dyeing (June 8 - 13) and Basics of Stake-and-Strand Willow Basketry (June 29 - July 2).  Here’s a photo of each:

The bell rang promptly at 9 a.m. to begin our 30th season with the class, “Making Your Mark: Dyeing and Silk Screen” with Stephanie Robertson of Indianapolis, IN.  Here’s a photo of the class working in the Walter Studio this morning:

During this same week, the Washington Island Art Association is holding their Spring Open Workshop in the Sophie Studio here at Sievers.  A field trip between studios is already being planned.

Upcoming classes with openings include Wildcrafted Trellises, Plant Towers and Garden Art with Donna Kallner, June 13-15; Landscape Needlefelting and Bead Embroidery with Karen Buell, June 15 - 18; Creative Silk Jacket: “Green” Surface Design Techniques with Kayla Kennington, June 15 - 20.  These photos show an example from each of the classes.

Adventures in Antler Basketry with Jill Choate, May 30-June 1 and Knitting & Crochet from Finland with Carol Rhoades, June 1-6.

In less than 3 weeks our 30th season begins with the Sievers Shop opening on May 15th and the first class of the season, “Making Your Mark: Dyeing and Silk Screen Printing ” with Stephanie Robertson starting on Sunday, May 18th.   We’ll be ready!

 A Jackson Harbor Road Landmark is Gone           

Today as we arrived at Sievers, the Town Crew was removing (as a former instructor called it) ”the tree in the middle of the road”. The big maple outside the Sievers Shop provided shade for many for the past 100+ years.  We will miss it.  Word has it that the shoulders of Jackson Harbor Road will be paved to provide extra space for bicyclists and the tree needed to be removed for that reason. 

Bead & Button Magazine Interviews Diane Fitzgerald

The June 2008  issue of Bead & Button Magazine includes a wonderful article, “The Making of a Master” featuring Diane Fitzgerald.  Diane will be the recipient of the 2008 Excellence in Bead Artistry Award, presented at the 2008 Bead & Button Show in June. 

Door County Shepherds’ Market - May 17 & 18

The 14th Annual Door County Shepherd’s Market will be held from 10am-4pm on Saturday, May 17th and 10am-3pm on Sunday, May 18th at Whitefish Bay Farm, just north of Sturgeon Bay, WI.  This event promotes products from sheep and goats, educates the public about the animals and their fibers and showcases the tradtional handcrafts that utilize these fibers.  A number of vendors sell yarns, fibers, finished products and more.  Raffle tickets are sold with one of the prizes being a weekend class of your choice at Sievers.  For more information, find it at www.whitefishbayfarm.com/market.htm