Tradition in Transition
Canadian contemporary textile works travel to France

Every fall, thousands of quilt-lovers gather in the quaint valley town of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, in the Alsace area of France, for 4 days of international textile exhibits, classes, lectures, fabric shopping and above all, inspiration!

From September 13 to 16, 2012, Canada has the place d’honneur at the 18th Carrefour Européen du Patchwork and will be exhibiting in L’Église de la Madeleine. International award winning textile artist and quilter, Sandra Reford, was asked to curate a body of work that is of an exceptional technical standard and that represents the current state of quilting and textile art in her country, Canada. The Canadian exhibit is just one of many in the carrefour. The event organizers are expecting 22,000 visitors to grace the Val D’Argent area this September. Visitors will be exposed to the European perspective on patchwork and textile art while enjoying the Alsatian culture.

The exhibit, Tradition in Transition, will reflect the diversity of styles and characteristics of the Canadian creators and regions from which they come. It will be for many of the artists their first opportunity to exhibit on an international stage.

Upon its return from France, Tradition in Transition will be displayed at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre in Oakville, Ontario, from November 23, 2012, to January 6, 2013 with the opening reception on November 25 from 2 to 5 pm. Several participating artists will be in attendance.

For more information, contact curator, Sandra Reford, sandra.reford@sympatico.ca

Articles about Tradition in Transition can be viewed in: Fibre Quarterly (February 2012), Canadian Quilter Magazine (summer 2012, fall 2012), Quilt Italia Patchwork News (summer 2012)