How we got started
Jamie had
curated a number of art quilt exhibits, both juried and invitationals.
Leslie was the co-owner of Fiber Artspace in San Antonio, TX, and had
opportunities to curate a number of shows, as well as, a call for
entry. We were asked to jury the on-line exhibition “My World in Black
and White, Revisited in 2009, by Anne Copeland. Jamie coordinated a
special exhibit “Everything Under the Sun” for the first International
Quilt Festival in Long Beach in 2008. Eight large quilts, all made by
groups of artists about Long Beach. The second exhibit "Edges" began
with Jamie at the helm, and then brought in Leslie to help with the
jurying process, and the rest is history. Throughout our friendship, we
have found that we work well together. Henceforth, curating seemed a
natural progression for both of us.
Edges 2009
Beneath the Surface 2010
The Space Between 2011
Rituals 2012
Where did the name come from?
When
we go to Festival in Houston, our reservation is for 8:00pm and our
artist friends are with us! We thought it was the perfect name for our
curating efforts.
Selecting a Theme
We each have a list of
theme ideas, and brainstorm via e-mail. Sometimes we ask a few of the
our artist friends for their input. We begin this process in late
April, after the jurying for that year is complete. We love to see where
the themes take the artists, and for many, just the size of the quilt
presents a unique challenge. We announce the new theme at our annual
artists dinner at Festival in Long Beach, then followup with the artists
via e-mail.
Why a Juried Invitational?
We wanted to
have a great exhibit and also exert some control on who we ask to
participate. It was our desire to include emerging artists who have
never entered a piece in a large show. We enjoy the learning curve, and
to encourage an emerging artist achieve their goal of being accepted
into our exhibit.
How Much Work is Involved?
We
work well together and compliment each other with our skills and
strengths. Our work got easier this year after hiring Giving Back
Technology to handle our on-line blind jurying process, therefore
eliminating hoards of paperwork, CD's and tons of time and energy. We
enjoy working with a variety of people on a professional level, meeting
deadlines, being highly organized, and having fun at the same time. We
both enjoy writing, which comes in handy with the blog, sponsor letters,
and theme paragraphs. Being on the other side of the "fence" as
curator/jurors we have an opportunity to intersect with a wider variety
of people running the quilt shows.
Other Collaborations?
We
have a cooking blog ‘Artists Cooking with Gas,’ where we each
contribute our own tried and true recipes, complete with photographs. http://artfulfoodandfiber.
We are also artists in The Sketchbook Challenge http://sketchbookchallenge.
and in 8 that Create http://www.8thatcreate.com/
and we have taught together at the International Quilt Festival in
Cincinnati, Long Beach and Houston as faculty, Make-It-University and
Create in Chicago, Illinois.
Jamie had curated a number of art quilt exhibits, both juried and invitationals. Leslie was the co-owner of Fiber Artspace in San Antonio, TX, and had opportunities to curate a number of shows, as well as, a call for entry. We were asked to jury the on-line exhibition “My World in Black and White, Revisited in 2009, by Anne Copeland. Jamie coordinated a special exhibit “Everything Under the Sun” for the first International Quilt Festival in Long Beach in 2008. Eight large quilts, all made by groups of artists about Long Beach. The second exhibit "Edges" began with Jamie at the helm, and then brought in Leslie to help with the jurying process, and the rest is history. Throughout our friendship, we have found that we work well together. Henceforth, curating seemed a natural progression for both of us.
Edges 2009
Beneath the Surface 2010
The Space Between 2011
Rituals 2012
Where did the name come from?
When we go to Festival in Houston, our reservation is for 8:00pm and our artist friends are with us! We thought it was the perfect name for our curating efforts.
Selecting a Theme
We each have a list of theme ideas, and brainstorm via e-mail. Sometimes we ask a few of the our artist friends for their input. We begin this process in late April, after the jurying for that year is complete. We love to see where the themes take the artists, and for many, just the size of the quilt presents a unique challenge. We announce the new theme at our annual artists dinner at Festival in Long Beach, then followup with the artists via e-mail.
Why a Juried Invitational?
How Much Work is Involved?
Other Collaborations?
We have a cooking blog ‘Artists Cooking with Gas,’ where we each contribute our own tried and true recipes, complete with photographs. http://artfulfoodandfiber.
We are also artists in The Sketchbook Challenge http://sketchbookchallenge.
and in 8 that Create http://www.8thatcreate.com/
and we have taught together at the International Quilt Festival in Cincinnati, Long Beach and Houston as faculty, Make-It-University and Create in Chicago, Illinois.
BIO
BIO
Leslie Tucker Jenison is a mixed-media artist who loves cloth and paper. She is a full-time studio artist living in San Antonio TX. Her work has been shown internationally and is held in corporate and private collections. Surface design using dye and paint are integral components of her work. She enjoys experimenting with unconventional materials, so found and used objects are frequently integrated into her constructions. Her camera is always in-hand and the images frequently find their way into her work, literally or by way of inspiration. Leslie serves on the Board of the Alliance For American Quilts, and is a professional member of SAQA, among others. She has written for, and been featured in, numerous publications, including Quilting Arts Magazine and e-newsletter, and Quilt Festival/Quilt Scene. She has been a guest artist on Season 7 and 9 of Quilting Arts TV. Her workshop dvd, "DIY Surface Design" is available from Interweave. She enjoys teaching various quilting and mixed-media classes. In addition she enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, traveling, and is a multi-engine, instrument-rated pilot. Leslie is married and has 3 daughters, all artists. Life is good!
