Fiber Art Tote Exhibit

Veronica Hofman-Ortega
presents the 2011
Guild Challenge awards.

The second annual Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild Challenge exhibit and awards presentation was held Saturday, November 12, 2011. This Challenge showcased 10 multifarious fiber art tote bags. The Challenge exhibit and awards presentation, entitled "Fiber and Caffeine get me going... ," was emceed by Challenge team lead, Veronica Hofman-Ortega.

The Challenge guidelines were presented to guild members in January 2011, with a ten-month time frame in which to create a fiber art piece that was inspired by a favorite coffee mug. The resulting entries exhibited a broad range of techniques—felting, knitting, crochet, quilting and weaving—and heralded the skills and creativity of their creators.

One of the requirements of Challenge entries, the inclusion of a decorative design element, resulted in an artistic display of embellishing and surface design techniques such as stumpwork, embroidery, thread painting, image transfer, beading, dyeing and appliqué.

Left: "Dragonfly"  [3rd Place] by Ann Buggey
Right: "Red Hatters" [First Place] by Phyllis Narus

Left: "Cat and Mouse Bag" by Sheri Streety
Right: "Mesa Verde" by Judy Anderson

Left: "Kiwi" by Mary Lou Scohier
Right: " New Mexico Morning" by Brenda Park

Left: "Stella's Antler" by Cheri Miller
Right: "Knit Happy" by Sally Broom

Left: "Dragonfly Bag" [Second Place/Best Workmanship] by Pat Keran
Right: "How to be a Fiber Artist" by Veronica Hofman-Ortega

The participating fiber artists were asked to describe the processes they used in creating their tote bag. True to the definition of the word, "challenge," many of them encountered obstacles, detours and a few re-starts in their journey. Finding suitable solutions and arriving at the Challenge finish line was a sign of their creativity and perseverance.

Challenge participants discussed their processes, challenges and
solutions with the guild.

Selecting the winning entries, determined by vote from the guild membership, was an arduous task and a very close competition.

Local fiber arts businesses, including those owned by guild members, generously contributed merchandise and gift certificates for the prizes. Prizes were awarded to all participants and ribbons given for First, Second, and Third Places and Best Workmanship. Congratulations to all the artists!

Left: Ann Buggey (Third Place) with her entry, "Dragonfly"
Right: Phyllis Narus (First Place) with her entry, "Red Hatters."

Left: Mary Lou Scohier with her entry, " Kiwi"
Right: Pat Keran (Second Place, Best Workmanship) with her entry, "Dragonfly Bag"

Left: Sheri Streety with her entry, "Cat and Mouse Bag"
Right: Veronica Hofman-Ortega with her entry, "How to be a Fiber Artist"

Left: Brenda Park with her entry, "New Mexico Morning"
Right: Sally Broom with her entry, " Knit Happy"

Challenge participants and guild members enjoy the presentation.