"Woven Together: Firestorm"

The last two years have brutal years for wildfires!  By early August 2012, over 42,000 wildfires had been recorded in the US database and 6,000,000 acres had been turned to char.  Many of these fires consumed a record number of homes, claimed lives and displaced people from their homes. 

How does anyone cope with these disasters?  For artists, there is an outlet in their work and a chance to use their medium to design and create pieces that express this emotional turmoil they feel.  Business Arts Center in Manitou Springs, Colorado offered artists from around the country and world an opportunity to show their emotion through a juried exhibit which runs through August 2, 2013.
Curators for this exhibit were Holly Parker Dearborn and Patrick Bohnen. 

Recently, we had a chance to view this exhibit and here I share some photos. 

Juror for this exhibit was Jeanne Steiner, Arts and Crafts Program Director at Colorado College.  This was one of her pieces entitled "Smoke"

 

 

Maryse Levenson is the featured artist.  Maryse is a weaver, dyer and Kumihimo braid artist.

 

Close-up of "Out of the Fire" by Maryse

One of the wearables "Falling Ashes" by Anne Evans

 

 

"Hot Spot" by Cathy Coatney

 

"Signs of the Times" by Patricia Dunston

 

"Night of Anguish" by Carolyn Wostenberg

 

"Fire in the Forest, Fire in the City" by Jan Seltman

 

 

"Peaks" (front) "Elements" by Janet Birch

 

"Spark Blaze Afterglow" by Urban Jupena

 

 

"After the Dark Comes the Light" by Sharon Crary

 

"Fire Echo" by Sharon Crary

 

I've included these photos to show the wide range of textiles in this exhibit.  There are large and small tapestries, weavings, baskets, wearables

 

This show expresses bare emotions for the artists as well as the attendees.  Take the time to visit this exhibit and let it surround you with rare feelings but at the same time it gives you comfort.