From your artist-in-residence Thomas Roach
So we are already just past the halfway mark of my month-long residency with the St. George’s community. It has been a bit of a whirlwind which began with driving across the Rockies with a car loaded down with studio equipment followed by a day to get the studio set up at Evergreen and shopping for silk. Within the first few days you helped cut and then silk-screen print nearly 20 yards of beautiful dupioni silk with the prayers of your community. Now we are using all the quilting and sewing skills that we can muster, using rotary cutters and rulers to cut small pieces of silk, and machine piecing hundreds of little squares into what will become beautiful panels for the completed artwork. I am awed by the dedication and enthusiasm of the community members that have come to the studio to work on the project. We are almost ready for my favourite part to begin, the hand-stitching and embroidery.
I do hope that you will find even a little time to come by the studio (at 1709 8th Ave NE in Mayland Heights) and see what we are up to. I especially invite you to come on Saturday, October 19 between the hours of 10am and 4pm to try your hand at some hand stitching. No experience necessary, and all ages and skill levels are most welcome. We will also bring some stitching to church on Sunday, October 27 following the 9am service downstairs.
I will be giving a talk entitled Cloth and Connection on Tuesday, October 22 at 7:30pm at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church (1611 St Andrews Place NW). The talk is about my work with large community art projects like this one, and will provide an opportunity to see some completed work and will include time for some questions.
The studio will be open on Monday, October 21 from noon to 9pm in addition to the usual hours posted. Thank you for the privilege of working with you and the inspiration that your community has given to me. Pax
Thomas