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:

Since 2001, we have offered scholarships to attend a Sievers class through donations given in part in memory of our quilting teacher Doreen Speckmann and Elisabeth Beinert, a weaving student. Out of this fund we were able to grant five scholarships this year.  The recipients and corresponding classes are:

Elisabeth Beinert Scholarship:

Kelly Thompson - Beginning Weaving on a Floor Loom

Doreen Speckmann Scholarships:

Jeannie Shay - Surface Design Techniques:Creative Silk Jacket

Jill Johnson - Color for Knitting

Barb Weller - Bent Willow Chair

Colleen Fouse - Beginning Papermaking

This year, for the first time, we offered a scholarship in the amount of $500 to a graduate of Washington Island School.  Primary consideration for this scholarship is the degree to which the applicant is involved in the field of arts  (visual, music, theater or dance) and how their involvement has benefited them as well as the Island community.  Our first recipient was Lydia Foss.  Lydia was a member of the Island singing group, “Faithful Friends” and will be attending Lawrence University.

Partial proceeds from Marianne Fons’ presentation “Why We Quilt” as well as the Sievers Gathering Fiber Arts Garage Sale will benefit the Sievers Scholarship Fund.  More information on Sievers Scholarships is shown in the first posting on this news site.

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