The SAQA Pennsylvania Region debuted its regional show Eye of the Needle at the Bottle Works: Arts on Third Avenue in Jonestown, PA in October 2018.
The Bottle Works facility was originally the home of the Tulip Bottling Company and is now part of a vibrant art campus for the community.
Eye of the Needle is a collection of fiber-based artwork by Pennsylvania members of SAQA. The exhibition was juried by author and fiber artist, Andra Stanton. The exhibition showcases a wide range of quilted fiber art, and highlights the diverse styles and techniques of a medium that prioritizes aesthetic value over utility.
In conjunction with the Eye of the Needle exhibition, SAQA PA’s Fiber’s the Bomb! installation project was brought to The Bottle Works.
Fiber’s the Bomb! began at the Wayne Art Center, as part of the Fiber’s the Bomb! symposium and the Art Quilt Elements 2018 show. SAQA members constructed fiber pieces that were hung outdoors for the duration of the AQE show. At the Bottle Works, SAQA PA hung these same Fiber Bombs outside the Bottle Works building.
In addition to the Eye of the Needle exhibition, the SAQA PA members also created work for the Art Connections Project in the Black Box Gallery. This small exhibition of cash and carry art featured 60 8’’ x 10’’ pieces. The Art Connections Project financially benefits both SAQA PA and the Bottle Works.
Saturday, October 27th, was the official opening of the show, complete with an artist gallery talk.
16 of the 33 artists were present and shared stories about their art and process.
The crowd was large and receptive to the show.
As the Bottle Works proclaimed on their Facebook page, “We can't say enough good things about this show! The artist talk and tour was fascinating”.