Potomac Fiber Arts Guild
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Potomac Fiber Arts Guild
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Study GroupsThe Potomac Fiber Arts Guild study groups are made up of members who share a common interest and want to continue to develop their skills and knowledge. The groups provide not only learning opportunities but also way to connect with others who enjoy fiber arts. All that is required to join a group is a desire and a commitment to learn and explore a group´s topic for the year.
Below are descriptions of each group with contact and meeting information. Other groups may emerge throughout the year. If you would like additional information about a study group or would like to create a new group, please contact the Study Groups Coordinator: studygroups@potomacfiberartsguild.org
Color
ColorThe guild would like to start new study group focusing on Color Theory. We'll experiment with small projects to gain a better understanding of color relationships, value relationships, and extended use of the color wheel. Topics will include using warm and cool colors, the value scale, monochromatic colors, analogous colors, complementary colors, color contrasts (major keys, minor keys, saturation, neutrals, proportion), color harmonies (split complementary, double split complementary, triad, double triad, tetrad, square tetrad, hexad). Members can work with whatever they enjoy so long as there is color involved: quilting, fiber art, weaving, knitting, beading, paper, collage, mixed media, etc. Each month we will tackle one or more aspects of color theory and then the following month we'll review and analyze our completed pieces.
Design 1The Design 1 study group meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 10:30 to 2:30, in homes of the members. During the first two years (2008-10) each meeting focused on one or more of the essential design principles/elements and each member presented a work of her own for discussion. We have not yet decided on the program for the coming year but have discussed doing something that will integrate these principles and elements and are planning visits to museums. We plan to continue to have each member present a work of her own for discussion at each meeting. Our goal is to improve the quality of design in our own textile creations. We added two new members for 2009-2010, and are currently closed to additional members.
Design 2The Design 2 study group is new in 2010. Its meetings will be focused on one or more of the elements and principles of design. Members will lead discussions on individual design principles or elements at least once during the year, and present their work monthly for discussion and critique. The group will establish its specific program for the year and meeting times at the beginning of the new guild year.
Dyeing 1The Dyeing 1 study group has members ranging from beginners to experienced dyers. The group experiments with various types of dyes and discharging color, on natural fabric and fibers. They usually meet the fourth Tuesday of the month year-round at 10 am, in members' homes. The group is currently full, and has a waiting list, adding new members as space becomes available.
Dyeing 2The Dye2 Study Group is composed of newbie to advanced dyers, and meets on the 4th Saturday of the month from 10 am - 2 pm. Our studio time includes the use of fiber-reactive dyes (MX) and textile paints with yardage or fiber. Techniques we have explored or plan to explore are low water immersion, textile painting, soy wax batik, indigo vat dyeing, and silkscreening.
Felting 1The Felting Study Group I will be focused on creating items to be exhibited at The Allegany Arts Council's Saville Gallery in Cumberland, Maryland (http://www.alleganyartscouncil.org) on March 10, 2011 through April 2, 2011. The exhibit, "I just felt like it" is solely dedicated to the Study Group's felted artwork. It will feature a flora/fauna installation and showcase individual member's wearable and non-wearable felt. The group meets on the third Thursday of each month and is currently closed to new members because of space restrictions.
Felting 2The Felting 2 Study Group meets monthly in Ellicott City, MD. Projects during the past year included making felted slippers, experimenting with dying, doing a nuno project, using different methods to make three dimensional objects, and exploring ways of incorporating fabric into felt. The group is currently closed to new members because of space constraints.
First Thursday ClothingThe First Thursday Study Group has transformed itself into an outings and lunch group. After many, many years of studying clothing, many of us were suffering burnout, and in late 2009 decided to establish a new purpose. Now, we are taking a different field trip every month. We're going mostly to museums, and we're following the meeting with lunch at a nearby restaurant--or at a restaurant in the museum. In 2009-10 we saw Japanese fashion at the Textile Museum, Australian aboriginal paintings at the Museum of Women in the Arts, the lace collection at the Smithsonian's American History Museum, Shinko sunibari at the African Art Museum, Georgia O'Keeffe at the Phillips Collection, the artists' studios and galleries at the Workhouse in Lorton, Virginia, and the Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore. We take turns organizing the museum visits and planning the lunches. Our group is full - we have about 20 members, and 10 to 12 is a good number for most trips and lunches. If anyone is interested in doing what we do, we suggest that you start another study group on the same theme.
We meet on the first Thursday of each month, except in September, when we will meet on the second Thursday, September 10, at the Potomac Community Center. Our starting time has been changed to 10:30 a.m., to allow more time to get there for members who come from far away. The meetings will last until 12:30 or 1, and members are welcome to bring bag lunches. We have a potluck lunch at the December and June meetings.
We have space for new members.
Group GThe Group G study group emphasizes general weaving, and is open to all levels of weavers. The group will decide on its course of study in September. Members will take turns with programs. The group generally meets on the 4th Saturday of each month from 10 - 12:30, alternating among members' homes.
HatsThe Hats group meets monthly and determines its meeting time and place at each meeting. Topics cover anything and everything hat-related; previous gatherings: vintage hat collection, blocking and shaping felt hats, theater outing.
KnittingThe Knitting study group is informal, with no set agenda. It is just people who like to knit, sharing ideas and helping each other with knitting problems. Show and tell provides inspiration for everyone. The group meets the last Wednesday of each month in Kensington, MD, from 10-12. The group accepts members at the intermediate through advanced level of knitting. The group is currently full, and is keeping a waiting list.
Metal FiberAs the name implies the metal fiber group uses metal and fiber techniques to create fiber art. The metal fiber study group will meet in September to set up dates and a study project for the year. The group meets at members' homes in Maryland and Virginia. The group is open to new members. All levels of experience are welcome.
Metro MultishaftIf you would like to explore weaving on looms with eight or more shafts, join the Multishaft Study Group for a study of tied weaves. This year, we will compare many tied weave structures and look at options for ground cloth, number and arrangement of ties, threading systems, methods for creating new drafts and much more. Each member will design and produce cloth using a tied weave. We take turns leading discussions. The group meets in various members' homes on the second Friday of the month at 10:30am.
PaperThe paper study group is new this year. An organizational meeting will be held following the September 11 Guild meeting. We will share the kind of work we do, determine the direction of the group and choose a regular meeting time and place. Paper means making it, sculpting it, weaving it, collaging it, making books of it, using it for a shopping list or just HAVING it. And especially any original uses for it...
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