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N.Y. Foothills Weavers, Fiber Arts Guild to Exhibit at UC
Traditional Basketmaker Teaches Tricks of the Trade to Kick Off Exhibit
Written By Thomas Armitage '09, PR Intern
Local artists to exhibit work, works in progress in the gallery this month
Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu
Utica, NY (03/31/2009) - Beginning Monday, April 6, the Edith Langley Barrett Fine Art Gallery at Utica College will showcase the invitational members exhibit of the New York Foothills Weavers and Fiber Arts Guild. To kick off the event, professional basket maker Flo Hoppe will discuss basket-weaving techniques and showcase her work for the community. The free event, part of Utica College’s Meet the Artist series, takes place in the Edith Langley Barrett Fine Art Gallery from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on April 6. There will be a book-signing session and refreshments will also be available.Hoppe earned a bachelor’s degree in textile and clothing design from Iowa State University. Trained at the Art Institute of Chicago and having worked with skilled basket makers from Latvia, Russia, England, and Japan, Hoppe has also written many articles for fiber arts publications helping to educate art enthusiasts on different intricate basket making designs and styles.
Throughout her childhood, Hoppe was surrounded by the arts. Moving to Chicago at an early age, she became immersed in music, theater, dance and fine art classes. “Because I’ve been trained in several of the art disciplines, each adds its own unique inspiration to my work,” Hoppe said. “Training in the arts has taught me to see design possibilities in everything.”
Hoppe’s discussion will kick off the exhibit in the Barrett Gallery running through April 30. The public is also invited to view artists at work in the gallery on April 16, from 3 to 5 p.m., Margo Boylan will demonstrate spinning and Audrey Tucci will demonstrate knitting techniques. On April 23, also from 3 to 5 p.m., Sherrill Koss of Utica will demonstrate loom weaving.
The gallery is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Many pieces from Hoppe’s collection, as well as works from other area artisans, will be featured in the gallery. For more information, contact the college’s artist-in-residence and gallery director, Carolynne Whitefeather, at (315) 792-5289 or visit www.utica.edu/gallery.
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Gallery site