Grand Opening – Good Friends, Gratitude and Goldwork- Guest Blogger Christina Fairley Erickson

Special Note from Gail:

Gail Harker with some of the volunteers and guest artists-in-residence from the 2019 Grand Opening event.

I’m so thankful for the support of everyone who helped with or attended our Grand Opening earlier this month.  The single thing that stood out to me during the 2 day event was the overwhelming atmosphere of camaraderie and kinship of students and friends. So many past and present students put in an appearance. Some of these people were with me at the beginning (1994) in N. America.  Some were new to the center and excited to be part of a new art adventure.  All part of a continuing growing force of textile/embroidery artists who have committed their time, enthusiasm and effort into excellence.  Please enjoy the comments from our guest blogger!

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Well, it’s official!  The new Gail Harker Center for Creative Arts location was formally opened with a fabulous two-day event starting with the Mayor of La Conner, Ramon Hayes, joining Gail with a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of a sizable crowd of well-wishers.

Gail cutting the ribbon on the new venue with the Mayor.

With brightly colored as well as elegant Goldwork gracing the studio walls and tables, visitors feasted their eyes on the results of working as a student of Gails!  We had an incredible turn-out of friends, former and current students, family, community members, and even some walk-ins from off the street.

June Steegstra displaying her machine stitched artwork.

Visitors pouring over student sketchbooks and samples of their work/

The days were filled with artists demonstrating different techniques in art, design, hand and machine stitch.  Visitors were able to watch, ask questions and learn about the execution of numerous methods of art and stitch.

Penny Peters explaining about the many different styles of hand Goldwork embroidery.

Gloria Shelton showing her hand stitching from Level 1 and her Goldwork embroidery.

Marilyn Olsen demonstrating contemporary darning and kantha stitching techniques.

Susan Sasnett shares her experience and whimsical creatures.

Christina Fairley Erickson demonstrating machine Goldwork stitching.

Barbara Fox describing her Level 3 Advanced Experimental Stitch work with trees and the forest floor.

Tesi Vaara displaying and sharing Level 3 Art & Design.

Nancy Drake exhibiting hand beading.

Jill Taylor shows her mastery of Goldwork embroidery.

More to come soon on our great event!