A Big WELCOME to all new members. We’re so happy you’ve joined one of the most unique groups in the country!

What did you do on your Fiber Vacation? Did you take a break for a weekend and just play in your own fiber space? Did you take advantage of a conference and workshop out of town? Were you able to get outside and play in the dye, pulp, and garden or just sit quietly with a glass of lemonade and think about what you might create? I know for some of us the weather has been a terrible challenge and I respectfully acknowledge how difficult the spring and summer rains have been for our state. I hope you are safe and dry and have the support you need. As a MoFA member we need to hear from you if there is something we can do for you. You can contact me or any Board member for Fiber support.

This leads me to our organization. In St. Louis this time of year, good or bad, we usually say, “how ‘bout those Cards!” Now I think we’re saying “how ‘bout that MoFA website!” Thanks to Lexi Glynias and her magic we have a beautiful new web site up and running with more tweaking on the way. You can sign up for the Retreat, submit work for the MoFA gallery, renew membership, and link to other great sites. We are grateful for the time Bonnie Ahrens and Tina Brodderson took to get us started on the web originally. Now, as we move onto that wild ride I told you about in the last newsletter, we are ready to “rock and roll!” I hope you have those hand woven seat belts fastened.

Before you know it the 2009 Retreat will be here and you don’t want to miss out. One of our newest MoFA members, book artist Joanne Kluba, will give a free workshop at the Retreat. She is one of the artists in the new book, “500 Hand Made Books”. We are grateful for the opportunity to have her work with us at the Retreat.

Many new things are in the works behind the scenes at MoFA Central. We’re talking: a MoFA “ juried” show for Innovations in Textiles 2009, a ”Call for Entry” at the Foundry Art Centre for 2010 MoFA Conference in St. Charles. And did I mention the 2009 Retreat at the Rickman Center? Hold on to your felted hats we’re just getting started.

We can’t do anything without your participation. Wait! Don’t stop reading yet. I want to meet you, every single one of you. I want to know what you look like. I want to hear your thoughts about what you want out of your organization. You have my personal invitation to come to the biggest fiber pajama party in Missouri the last weekend in February 2009. As summer winds down and we move into one of my favorite times of year, fill out your registration form for the Retreat and send it in. It will be your gift to yourself.

Important Conference 2010 Planning Meeting: October 11, 1pm
St Louis Artists’ Guild, Oak Knoll Park – corner of Clayton and Big Bend Rds, St. Louis, MO

All MoFA members, and especially all St. Louis MoFA members, are encouraged to attend the first official planning meeting of the 2010 Conference. Join the Festivities! Come to the meeting! MoFA needs you! Contact Judy Cobillas for more information! See you there.

Make this Missouri Fiber Artists event a priority for your mind, heart and spirit.

It is just the right time to reserve your place for the 2009 MoFA Retreat at the Rickman Center Conference and Retreat Facility in Jefferson City, MO. We used this Center for the Retreat in 2007 and it was wonderful. You can spend a weekend with MoFA in a variety of activities: relaxing, renewing old and new friendships and getting rejuvenated with a multi-fiber selection of activities. Once again, MoFA will sponsor an optional workshop for all attendees on Saturday morning. The only cost may be a minimal charge for a supply kit.

Remember to spread the word about MoFA to your fiber friends. Connect with others in your region, meet for coffee, share your passions, become a resource for someone else just starting out. Your MoFA membership is a place to begin. You can make it much more than a once a year get together.

Weavers' Guild of St. Louis
26th Annual Sale

October 31 & November 1
Friday - 10am-8pm
Saturday - 10am-6pm

Brentwood Community Center
2505 S Brentwood Blvd
St. Louis, MO

FREE admission with excellent parking available. Daily demonstrations of weaving, spinning, fiber art.

For more information, call: (636) 343-5643 or visit our website:
www.weaversguildstl.org/sale2008.htm

Columbia Weavers & Spinners Guild 19th Annual Holiday & Exhibition Sale

November 7, 2008 - 6pm-9pm
November 8, 2008 - 9am-4pm
November 9, 2008 - 11am-4pm

Boone County Historical Society
3801 Ponderosa St
Columbia, MO

Admission is free and door prizes are awarded! Weaving/spinning/fiber art demonstrations daily.

For more information, call Karen Kelley Schultz (636) 479-5659 or visit our website: cwsg.missouri.org/HES.html

The Fiber Guild and Weavers' Guild of Kansas City
Annual Creative Hand Show

November 21, 2008 - 4pm-9pm
November 22, 2008 - 10am-5pm

Sylvester Powell Community Center
Merriam, KS
www.kcweaversguild.org

Fiber Fair 2009
Highland Fiber Artists

May 16, 2009

Webster County Fairgrounds
Marshfield, MO
(417) 859-7840
www.hfafiberfair.com

August 30, 31 & September 1, 2008
Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO

Indigo Moon People (John and Robin Quint) and helpers Toni Disano and Luise Huffman will demonstrate Shibori Techniques and Indigo Dyeing at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis, Missouri, during the Japanese Festival. They will have a booth with Indigo dyed clothing, scarves, batik hangings, bandanas and dyed silk scarves for sale.

Admission fee is $10 and includes most of activities during Japanese Festival except for the Tea Ceremony. Visitors who become first time members of the Missouri Botanical Gardens during Labor Day Weekend receive a free three day pass to the Japanese Festival for two adults and their children under age 12. 

The Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States. Take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy authentic Japanese art demonstrations, music of the Taiko Drummers, dance, food, and entertainment. There are many vendors and the gardens are beautiful this time of year. You will forget you are in the middle of a big city when you are in the Garden! 

For more information about the Japanese Festival or the Missouri Botanical Gardens see www.mobot.org  or call (314) 577-9400. Also demonstrating at the Garden on Monday, September 1 will be two more MoFA members, Deann Rubin, silk tapestry weaving and Luise Hoffman, silk spinning.

May 23 - September 1, 2008
Bead International 2008 and Beyond Basketry, Athens, OH

Come see what happens when the age-old art forms of basketry and beading are combined with contemporary visions and techniques. Bead International 2008 and Beyond Basketry will be on exhibit together in the Sauber Gallery, at The Dairy Barn Arts Center from May 23 to September 1. These juried art exhibitions feature a total of 135 works by 95 artists. Works range in style from the traditional to the whimsical as they incorporate a variety of colors and materials. These exhibitions will spark the viewer’s creativity and broaden perspectives, as they consider any pierced object to be a bead and any vessel made of woven materials to be a basket.

The artworks range in size from just a few inches to nearly eight feet. Many of the artworks will be available for purchase. Additionally, Ohio University Press, Athens, OH, has published a full-color book documenting the complete Bead International 2008 and Beyond Basketry 2008 collections. The book is available for purchase through The Dairy Barn Arts Center’s gallery shop or website.

In addition to jurying the exhibition, the jurors - Connie Lehman, Elizabeth Whyte Schulze, and Cindy Wrobel - are tasked with selecting the award recipients. The awards for Beyond Basketry include five awards: the three Jurors’ Awards; Most Innovative Use of the Medium, awarded to the artist whose work represents an original application or manipulation of a traditional medium; and Best of Show, awarded to the artist whose work is most impressive in all aspects including: originality, innovation, design, technique, and artisanship.

August 27 - September 17, 2008
Earth and Sky:  Marilyn Grisham and Ed Barker

FINAL Friday Gallery Crawl & Artist Reception August 29, 7-10pm The Fiber Studio 418 Commerce Wichita, KS For hours and map: call (316) 303-1996 or email fiberstudio1@sbcglobal.net

Marilyn Grisham has been involved with MoFA since the 1990's. She has The Fiber Studio in Wichita, KS, which includes her fiber studio, residence and gallery featuring local and regional artists monthly. The studio is located in downtown Wichita in the Commerce Street Arts District.

September 19 - January 11
Hand over Hand: New Work by
Michael Shaughnessy
Opening Reception: Sept 19, 6-9pm
Artist's Talk: 6pm

Inaugural Craft Alliance in Grand Center Exhibition
501 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103

Be part of the art: watch Michael and his crew create the site-specific installation sculpture.

October 3-19
re: Interpretations 2008

An exhibition of contemporary fiber art inspired by Mining the Surface, a workshop with Jo Stealey, Poppy, in Columbia, MO.

MoFA members participating in the exhibition are: Jennifer Wax, Robin Wingo, Connie Zullo, Vicki Smith, Suza Wooldridge and Leandra Spangler.

October 1 - December 27
Jo Stealey
PS Gallery, 254Columbia, MO
Reception: Sat, Oct 11, 6-9pm

October 13-30
Christine Holtz
George Caleb Bingham Gallery
Lecture: Oct 22, 5pm
Reception: Oct 24, 5-7pm

October 24, 6-9 pm
ArtRageous Friday, Columbia, MO
Featuring fiber work by Christine Holtz and Jo Stealey

September 6-7
Chautauqua in the Park
Chillicothe, MO

Traditional Arts area will feature spinning, weaving, rug hooking, basket making, felting, knitting, crocheting, story telling, Kumihimo weaving, drop spindling, etc. If you have an unusual art (tatting, art metal, glass work, etc) we would love to have you join the fun - either day or both days.

Please contact Zelma Cleaveland, Traditional Arts Coordinator, (660) 646-5233, or cell: (660) 247-2192 or email subject:Chautauqua zkllamas@aol.com

September 6
2008 Quilts on Main Street
St. Charles, MO

The City of St. Charles will be having their 2008 Quilts on Main Street Event, Saturday, September 6. They are seeking quilts to display (outdoors). They are also seeking quilts (new, used, and old) for their auction, which will benefit the Diabetes Foundation. 

Volunteers are needed to help at the event. The contact person is Charlot Stillo (314) 428-3133 or Ruth Williams (636) 947-4843.

October 4-5
200th Birthday: Thomas Sappington House
1015 S Sappington Rd
Crestwood, MO 63126

Built in 1808, it is believed to be the oldest brick house in St. Louis County. Free admission; Sat: 10-4, Sun: 11-4. Featured demos of period crafts include weaving, quilting, rug hooking & embroidery. The house and library will be open to the public. Any fiber artist doing work that would have been done in the early 1800's and wishing to participate in the demos, please call Charmaine Leonard (314) 842-2505 or (314) 849-2589 for further information.

Room at the Inn Needs Fiber Artists!

Diane Landau, Ballwin, MO is seeking donations of children's quilts, afghans and blankets. Sewn, crocheted or knitted...she isn't picky. These items will go to homeless children who receive services from Room at the Inn. As a family achieves independence and moves into their own home, each child will be presented his or her own quilt, blanket or afghan along with a stuffed teddy bear.

All sizes are welcome, however, since they serve many older children and teens as well, Diane feels that 45" wide x 60" long would make a good size for all. If you don't have time to embark on another handmade anything at this time, perhaps donating a stuffed teddy bear or Beanie Baby would be easier. Diane could also use yarn, fabric scraps, and Wal-Mart gift cards to purchase supplies.

Also, anyone who would be interested in sharing their quilts or fiber art to benefit this effort, please contact Patricia Kearns, St. Louis Regional Rep at (314) 427-1533 or email her at repstl@missourifiberartists.com.

Thank you!!!

Our website gives everyone an opportunity to get information that hasn’t been easily available in the past. We need to use it and refer to it regularly.

All MoFA members have to take a look at the coming events and participate or lose your organization. It is that simple. We almost came to a close this year. No Conference on our 30th Anniversary. We are parents, children with parents, grandparents, wives and husbands, care givers, career people, sick people, well people, artists, lovers of fiber, we are busy! Things are happening for this organization to help it move forward, but your participation is the membership, you are MoFA.

If we don’t have enough people for a Retreat, there is no event for 2009. If no one chairs a Conference for 2010, there is no Conference in 2010. These are just facts. A beautiful website is a wonderful new beginning, but it will not sustain an organization that has only 6 people working for it.

Your organization needs MoFA Reps; it needs a publicist, a corresponding secretary and more. The website contains a list of volunteer activities that range from “next to nothing” to “more involved.”

Maybe your local guild serves many of your needs in terms of your artistic endeavors. Perhaps you even serve on other boards in the state. Please be reminded that Missouri Fiber Artists is one of the very few state-wide organizations in the country that embraces all fibers, all the time, 24/7! I am so proud to show people our member’s gallery and our website. I am so excited about the possible events for 2009 and 2010.

From my heart, won’t you join me and some of my closest friends, fill out your registration for the 2009 Retreat and send it in; come to the St. Louis planning meeting for the 2010 Conference and volunteer to help out; intern for a while, even if it’s only online, with a Board member to see if you would like to take over that position in 2010.  Become a real member of MoFA!

Thank you,
Judy Cobillas
2008-10 MoFA President

Send us your news, resources, helpful hints, strategies you’d like to share that help you balance life and art. Remember, the newsletter is an important way to connect with one another in this fiber community.

Got news?  Tell us about it!
   Attend a conference?  Give us your feedback – good, bad and the ugly!
      Win an award?  Stand on the rooftop and shout it out!  We want to hear about your success!
         Have a question?  One of your fiber friends surely has an idea or answer.

Newsletter deadlines are being adjusted in order to deliver information on a timely basis.
Deadline for the winter (2009) issue is November 15, 2008
Deadline for the spring (2009) issue is February 15, 2009
Deadline for the summer (2009) issue is May 15, 2009

You don’t have to wait until the deadline to submit your news – send it anytime to the Newsletter Editors. Include "MoFA" in your subject line.