Quilt National 23 opens in Athens Ohio May 26, Judy Martin wins the Handwork Award

Judith E Martin with Under Drifting Stars,
 painted and hand embroidery-quilted cotton quilt, 86 x 91 inches 2022

Quilt National 2023 opened in Athens Ohio, May 26, at 4 pm.  Awards were given out at 5:30 pm.

There was a banquet afterwards for the artists and their guests.

Click here to read the names of the jurors, who was selected, and information about the awards.  

Not Enough Time , mixed media by Mary Mattimoe, winner of Best of Show

Conversation 1 stitched and quilted, by Susan Byrnes, winner of Emerging Artist Award

Judy Martin had many people come up to her during the opening of Quilt National to tell her how much they loved this gentle and soft quilt.  She brought a chair over to the quilt so that she could sit beside it and reconnect.  The quilt was made in the summer of 2022, and then almost immediately shipped to Athens.  Quilt National runs until September 11 at the Dairy Barn in Ohio and then it will tour for two years.  It might happen that this quilt will sell to a collector during that time.  This quilt will be an heirloom.  For more images of this quilt, please visit New Work, here.

It was nice that Under Drifting Stars was hung away from the wall, as the second side is worth peeking at.  The display card has the materials, techniques and also Judy's poetic statement.

A world of spirit thinly veiled, a secret mystery.

Our cosmos, our day and night, the sun and the moon, and also the stars.

Childhood and also eternity.  Also emotions.  Also dreams.

I make quilts that are large enough to cover a family. 

Perivale Gallery opens on the May long weekend

Approaching Storm, Oil painting 22 x 40 inches by Ivan Wheale

Perivale Gallery opened for the season on Friday May 19.

On Saturday May 20, Ivan Wheale was honoured with a reception from 2-4 pm.

Ivan Wheale, arguably Manitoulin Island's most famous and favourite artist was greeted warmly by all in attendance.  Now 89 years old, he has been with Perivale Gallery for its entire 42 year history. 

Last Light in McGregor 2  Oil Painting 22 x 36 inches by Ivan Wheale

His works depict local LaCloche and Manitoulin landscapes in a realistic style.

They are oil paintings.  Click here to read the Perivale's biography of this artist and view more of his paintings.

Judy Martin with Ivan Wheale

Judy Martin attended Ivan's opening and congratulated him on his work and his long career.

She thanked him for being a role model for artists and continuing to make and exhibit his work.

(above) Where There Are No Storms, thread and watercolour by Judy Martin,
(below) Magic Hour, oil painting by Mark Hope 

Perivale Gallery is showing a wide variety of artists this year.  For a close up of Judy Martin's watercolour painting click here.

(top) Scarlet Letter acrylic by Tammy Shane, (middle) Something Bigger Than Fact, stitched textile by Judith E Martin and (bottom) Looking Back watercolour by Christie Pearson Anderson

During the months of May and June the gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm during the weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and by appointment the rest of the week.  

During July and August, the gallery is open every day of the week from 10 am to 5 pm.

The gallery remains open until the middle of September.  Visit the beautiful gardens while you are there.  

Perivale is open online all year.   

(top left) Ancient Teaching: Love Yourself by Judy Martin,
both oil paintings on the right are by Tammy Shane, Evening Marsh (top) and Evening Swim (below).
 Sunshine and Berries by Lisa Freguson, mixed media is pictured lower left  

Perivale Gallery,  1320 Perivale Road East, Spring Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ontario P0P 2B0

phone and email information here

a typical wall of paintings at The Perivale Gallery

The Swimmer's World, Linda Finn

Girl in Water #2, Watercolour by Christie Pearson Anderson

An abundance of paintings at the Perivale this season with most of them by local Mantioulin artists like Christie Pearson Anderson.  Visit the gallery online if you are unable to go to Manitoulin in person.

Meet the Artists: In the Middle of the World, May 12 and 13, 2023

the forever (behind), flowers bloomed, and eternity.  Sculptural textiles by Judith E Martin

 Judith E Martin, Penny Berens, and curator Miranda Bouchard travelled to Kenora, Ontario for receptions organized by the Muse  on Mother's Day weekend.  

My Heart, Her Arms Wrapped Round bundles by Judith E Martin,
Resting Between Night and Day by Penny Berens

On Friday May 12, the artists and curator gave illustrated talks with Question and Answers.  Click here to read the text of Judy's talk.

On Saturday May 13, the artists and curator gave a walk through of the exhibition, speaking candidly about the back stories and processes behind each of the works.  

Underfoot the Earth Divine and My Awakened Heart, two-sided quilts by Judy Martin

Both presentations were well attended.

Thank you to Lori Nelson, director of the Muse:  Lake of the Woods Museum / Douglas Family Art Centre and Sophie LaVoie, curator of the Art Centre, as well as well as the rest of the staff for the warm welcome.  The exhibition was beautifully installed and promoted. 

In the Middle of the World has been extended until July 4, 2023.  Kenora is a two hour drive east of Winnipeg Manitoba.   

Kenora is in the middle of North America. xo