Joanne Wietgrefe, a local artist quilter, will host a Art Opening on July 2nd, 2008, at Main Street Cafe in Spencer.  Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served along with a celebratory birthday cake for Joanne's husband, Walter.  The reception will be from 5 to 8 pm, and the Cafe's dinner and beverage menu will be available.

One was Joanne Wietgrefe learned to sew when she was 10 years old on the old treadle machine in the back bedroom.  She found that the clothes she envisioned were more stylish, better fitting and more economical than those offered in small Western New York towns.  Entering Cornell University's College of Home Economics, she perfected her skills in pattern design, fitting, draping and tailoring.  This love affair with fabric, begun as a child, continued during hte years of being a mother and teacher when she made "Joanne Orgininals" for the whole family. 

Approaching retirement, a Paddinton Bear made for family gifts gave impetus for a new venture.  Old fashined jointed teddy bears made from mohair were her creations sold at shows throughout Western New York under the label " My Bear Lady".

In 1998 Joanne and Walt moved to Ithaca and the change exteded to sewing projects as well.  The bear's mohair, eyes and joints were packed away and the fascination of quilting began.  What magical combinations of colors and patterns there were!  A eureka moment came when Joanne found that she didn't need to limit designs to squares or triangles. Curved piecing became the technique to translate images she had only dreamed possible into fabrics  The Tompkins County Quilters Guild is mainly responsible for fostering her interest and knowledge of quilting.  Quilting-by-the-Lake classes every July provide another source for education, encouragement and sharing.

For several years, Joanne was involved with a project of creaing liturgical quilts and the accompanying paraments for the First Congregational Church of Ithaca.  She designed, quilted and organized congregation members to help sew some of the panels used in the six large quilts to resemble stained glass windows, helping to beautify the bare walls in the sanctuary.

Another facet of Joanne's quilting is teaching quilted garment classes at Quilters Corners. Her shawl Collar Jacket continues to be a popular class for the past eight years.

"We live in a beautiful area, " she says.  "What a joy to express these surroundings by using fabric like paint." Tesutre, contrast and the curved line are elements of Josnne's quilts, even humor at times. "I spend as much time mentally constructing the design as I do actually cutting and sewing the quilt.  The most satisfying part of the process is when I trim and finish the edges.  Then I know I'm free to begin my next project, which I've already thought about , " she confesses.

Quilts as an art form have one additional quality that other media do not.  THe evoke feeligns of comfort, love and security just by our mental assocaition to those bed quilts creatively made from multicolored rectangles and triangles.

 

*One way to come to yes is to say no to everything that doesn't nourish and entice our secret inner life out into the world. - David Whyte

"Soul Sparks" is the quilting record of the journey I have been on since the death of my younger brother in July 2006. After his death, I was unable to access my grief or make sense of this profound experience through words. Quilting became a way to physically touch these deep emotions without having to translate them to words. Like sparks from a bonfire, these quilts have flown out of the fire of my pain.

Through this process, I have discovered the aliveness, color, beauty, possibility and surprises that are an inherent part of grief and pain. I have watched my heart open through the power of grief. I have learned to use the metaphor of the quilt and its layers to explore the deeper parts of my life. Gina Kellogg, Master Quilter.

Artist Reception will be held August 1st, 2007 from 5-8pm  

Dinner will be available during the reception, and the bar will be open offering complimentary hors d'oeuvres.

Ten percent of the profits from sales of the art quilts will be donated to The Abuse + Rape Crisis Center, Towanda.  

Announcing the Opening of a unique Art Show at Main Street Café and Gallery in Spencer:

The Romance of Robert Atkinson Fox: Art Deco from the Early 1900’s

These illustrations were painted by Mr. Fox, a contemporary of Maxfield Parrish, around the time that the Café was built, 1901.  Themes of Nature echo a gentler time of idealized beauty and ease of life and love.  Each painting is enhanced by a unique antique frame.

This extraordinary collection is the work of a local collector, Tom O’Connor, who is offering these Original Prints for sale. There are followers of Mr. Fox’s work, who call themselves “Fox Hunters.”  They will be delighted to know about this show and sale.

This show will close on April 2nd and we will be offering a special show from Spirit and Kitch in Ithaca opening on April 4th.