KALEIDOSCOPE A CELEBRATION OF SILK

Memories of a Silk Festival - Sue Thomas



Our Aim was to put on a Festival that showcased Silk Painting and bought together like minded folk, and others, who could enjoy themselves in a nice atmosphere, to share ideas, inspire and be inspired, relax and learn, meet old friends, and new and just have a good time. We wanted to provide a weekend that was interesting and inspiring - a weekend that everyone, whether expert, beginner or interested public , could really enjoy – inclusive in its enjoyment.

The Festival is a Bi Annual Event, and I know why! It takes 2 years to get it all up and running. Those willing to give up their time and expertise step forward first. They can see the goal and hold the vision. Then a merry band of helpers needs to be enlisted, cajoled or bullied into helping nearer the day. It is crucial to have a good team, especially if you want to achieve success and stay friends!


We are lucky in the Essex Branch, that we have an excellent Team, we all have different strengths and weakness, so we compliment each other and we are prepared to support each other, so that we can all achieve our goals.


The Theme for the festival was ‘Kaleidoscope’ and this provided a great springboard for ideas, and the theme was interpreted in so many wonderful ways. This was reflected in the individual entries in the Exhibition and the Fantastic Group Challenges. Having transformed a rather dreary hall, with exhibition screens, we mounted an Exhibition that reflected the excellent and varied work. In fact many visitors, new to Silk Painting remarked on the diversity, saying they had no idea it covered such a vast range of techniques and artistic expressions. The remarks from visitors, and those written in the Comments Book were very favourable, and they are good to reflect on, because, wonderfully positive, unsolicited remarks are a great way to measure how it was received.



.The Groups that entered their Challenges added to the brilliant display, with so many wonderful interpretations of ‘Kaleidoscope’. Each one was so different and executed with great skill. The wonderful cushion was from Milton Keynes imperceptably combining different artists' work in each quater, the colours complimented the wall hanging from
Stafford branch featuring reflected patterns within circles and another wall hanging with oranges and browns, the ‘Moroccan’ flavour, came form Cambridge.
The Kaleidos-cape was Surrey. There was a colourful cape from Sussex / London, entitled ‘Kaleidoscape’. A rainbow of perfect chiffon pleating from the Chilterns was delightful and there was a really delicate piece form St Albans.

 Essex produced a floor standing (large) screen, with 36 individual panels (four different patterns in panels of silk in each screen, nine screens in all)and as the sun streamed through the window, it illuminated the vibrant colours, making it look like a stained glass window. ( ) I know the Essex Branch had great fun experimenting, designing and making the screen. It really did focus our minds on the task in hand, the theme for the Festival and in fact the group itself. The camaraderie and closeness of the group has grown tremendously. Both the screen and the prize will be treasured.



When planning such an event, we start off with high ideals, what we want, who we want to be in attendance, how are we going to achieve and pay for the event – and convince others to join us. Invitations to Tutors go out early, some are available and let you know immediately, others are less prompt and the stresses build, as we wait for an answer. Then when you think you have everyone in place, some folk find they can’t come, or they are taken ill and the Tutor list stays in a state of flux – and so do the nerves! Gradually it comes together, and suddenly the opening day comes . . .and it is all hands to the pump!



We had some great workshops , and we would really like to thank all the Tutors who gave up their Time and Expertise to make a success of the Festival. In the end the workshops worked very well. They offered variety and inspiration to those taking the classes. We would, of course, have loved to have seen more people in the workshops. But short of kidnapping people onto the courses, I am not sure we could have done more. These are strange and difficult time we are in at the moment.



We wanted to have an ‘open door approach’ to the workshops. So that whilst the workshops were in session, visitors could walk around, take a look at what was going on, see work in progress, ask questions and be inspired themselves. This was very much appreciated, and so many people remarked on how much they liked this idea. Especially the lovely ladies from Oxford, who were disappointed to find on their arrival on Sunday morning that the Exhibition didn’t open till Midday.(My fault ,I feel, for not making that clear enough.) In the event they had a great morning going round all the workshops picking up hints and ideas. Like the good ladies of Oxford, we are very grateful to everyone who made the effort to travel, in some cases, great distances to support and participate in the weekend.



The venue we chose seemed to work well for everyone. It I so hard to find a venue that has everything you want, need and desire – and is affordable! The Staff at Wanstead House were so helpful and obliging, the building was a beautiful old building that houses a very vibrant community centre, and also has a delightful garden. Here we set up the ‘ Have a Go’ tent, and lots of people new to Silk Painting could have a taster. In the hall we also gave people the opportunity to microwave their own scarf and this proved very popular – hectic – but popular!



Beautiful strings of pennants decorated the garden, These were part of the ‘Quilts for London’ project, an initiative run by the Quilters Guild. In the house there was the opportunity to make your own pennant and support the London Olympiad, as these pennants will be presented to the Olympic athletes. Some really great pennants were made, and part of the session was filmed for a television news item. It is still not too late to take part and make your own pennant and be part of the 2012 Olympics. For more information Contact www.quilts4london.org.uk



Making, doing, listening or even just looking is hungry and thirsty work. So our amazing Food Fairies, provided us with delicious lunches, tea and gorgeous cakes. If you were feeling weary, or just needed to sit with a cuppa, we provided a quiet space, where a slide show of inspirational work was displayed. This proved very popular too, but so many more pictures of members work could have been shown, had you sent me some photos.



We did have some lovely slides of work, sent form Christine Harding, who was born in Essex, but lives in South Africa. She had planned to join us for the festival, but had an accident just before leaving and broke her hip. Such a disappointment, but hopefully she will make a good recovery and join us another time.



Jill Clay is an interesting artist, influenced greatly by Japanese art, unfortunately her proposed programme couldn’t take place. However, you could still be a winner, and win a holiday in Japan. Touched greatly by the devastating consequences of the Tsunami, she has an appeal to raise money for those in need in Japan. Two Silk Paintings from the Festival were donated to raise money for her appeal. Should you want to donate, or have questions regarding her holiday in Japan competition, you can contact her on www.festivalofjapan.co.uk



Like all good Festivals, the Raffle and the sale of cards, raised some money, and good folk went home with lovely Raffle prizes and cards.



.An enormous amount of work goes into producing such a weekend. So what are our conclusions? The Exhibition was evidence of the dedication, hard work and talent of the Guild members. The committee are still good friends and the Branch are inspired to move onto and develop our skills and talents, and support for each other as a group and we have made excellent connections with other branches. We had a great weekend, but non of this would have been possible if it were not for the band of unseen helpers, guild and branch members, but also their friends, family and chums. The staff at Wanstead House and all those unsung heroes . . thank you.


The dust has settled, the exhibition pieces have been packed away, the Tutors have packed away all their goodies, all the equipment, the display screens and excess paraphernalia (all that ‘stuff’ you need when you put on an a weekend event such as the Festival ) have been packed away or given back, if they have been borrowed or hired ..and now it is time to sit back with a cuppa and reflect. Reflect on the good and the exceptional, as well as looking at what could have been improved or could be done differently, were there to be a next time!!!! I didn’t say that!

Was it worth it . .I really think so. A great weekend, and a great time was had by all . .but we wont be doing it again, well not just yet a while. We wish the Group that organise the next one, lots of luck, energy and courage - a fair wind at their back and an open heart and open mind.

With thanks and appreciation, we now look forward to being present for the next Festival.

Saturday 23rd July

All day workshops
African Inspirations Using Wax Sue Thomas
Portraits on Silk Ozvalda Teiser

Morning workshops 10am-1.00pm
Off the Frame Melinda Berkovitz  

Talk 10.30am.
Devore Delights June Faulkner

Afternoon Workshops 2.00pm – 5.pm

Within the Shadows Melinda Berkovitz
Flowers With Flair Tessa Spanton
Stunning Shibori Scarves Eleanor Siddaway

Sunday 24th July
Morning workshops 10am-1.00pm
Organic shapes and Natural Textures Margaret Dunning
3D Silk Structures Agnes Sutherland
Pennants for 2012 Sue O’Hea



On Sunday afternoon we will be announcing our competition results, holding our Fashion Show and having our closing ceremony. We hope you will all be there!!

The Branch Challenge is for each branch to work together as a group with their item reflecting their collaborative effort and interpretation of our theme of ‘Kaleidoscope’. Individual items inspired by the title will also be welcomed. Pennants for 2012 – Be a part of the Olympics! An opportunity to make a pennant for Olympic Athletes. On the Sunday we will be having a Fashion Show, prizegiving and a closing ceremony with all guests departing by 4pm. We have decided not to arrange a formal dinner, but there are numerous eating places nearby, or of course a short tube ride will take you into London’s theatreland! We are expecting a great response for the workshops so Early Bird Booking (which gives you a discount) is advisable. Cancellation after 20th June 2011 for the workshops will incur full charges unless we have a waiting list. All items for the Exhibition may be brought to the venue on Friday 22nd July after 4pm or may be sent in advance (details nearer the time ) Please ensure that each item is marked either with a price for sale or NFS(not for sale) together with your name and contact tel. number and arrange for your items to be collected on Sunday 24th from 4pm We would prefer items in the Exhibition that are sold to stay until Sunday afternoon. Watch this website for more detailed information, booking forms, etc. This will be updated regularly.