STITCH exhibit at Morehead State University 1

For a couple of years now, the Claypool-Young Art Gallery at Morehead State University in Morehead KY has had an interesting practice for its large exhibits, which draw artists from all over the state and beyond.  Instead of having an opening reception, it holds a closing reception on the last night of the show -- which means you can come see the show, have some cheese and crackers, hear the juror's talk, then take your work down from the wall and take it home.  What a pleasant opportunity, especially if your work is too big to ship comfortably!

The down side is that if I write about the show on my blog, it's too late for me to urge you to see it.  But I'll write about it anyway.  The show was "STITCH: A Regional Contemporary Art Textile Exhibition," open to artists in 12 states, generally centering on Kentucky. The Kentucky Surface Design Association chapter was a co-sponsor, and Susan Shie was the juror.

Today, an artist I have not run into before is Helen Geglio, from South Bend IN.  She had three beautiful works in the show, all of them hand stitched onto linen grounds, with little raw-edge appliques and reverse appliques of vintage cotton prints.

Helen Geglio, Cumulus (detail below)

Helen Geglio, Lost Art of Mending 2

Helen Geglio, Dispersal (detail below)

Some of the stitching is plain old running stitch, but other areas use fancier embroidery.  Most of the edges are raw and fraying; most of the fabrics look used and faded; the pieces are meditations on mortality.   I wish I had made this work.

More tomorrow.