Out & About: SAQA Conference

Yvonne Porcella, the first President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

I’m finally back home after an amazing two week trip in America.  After Paducah, I spent a few days in New York, mainly in the Met Museum and then I went onto Washington DC, where I spent more time in museums and at the SAQA (Studio Art Quilts Associates) annual conference.

Katie Pasquini Masopust, the second President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

I’ve got loads to share and intended to do so whilst I was on the road, but I couldn’t download the photos from my ‘proper’ camera until I got home and I didn’t want to short change you with them less good ones – especially as the artwork and quilt-work I saw was astounding.  So I will be posting on this trip for a while.

Judith Content, the third President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

The SAQA conference was held just outside Washington at Alexandria, right by the river.  It was a lovely location.  I was slightly concerned about going by myself, but I needn’t have worried as many others were in the same position and we all met some great people.  Activities included artist speed dating to get to know other attendees, various talks and I had a quilt critique session, which threw up some ideas and opinions I had not considered, so it was very valuable.

Sandra Sider, the fifth President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

These photos are from the Sunday morning session.  SAQA is 25 this year and five out of six of the ladies who have served as president were at the conference.  They all shared one quilt they had made whilst they were president, whilst talking about the impact being a member of SAQA and its presidency had on their lives.  It was fascinating and also rather funny.  It also emphasised the old (but true) adage: the more you put into something, the more you get out of it. 

Kris Sazaki, the six and current President of SAQA, with one of her quilts

If you get a chance to go the SAQA conference, I would highly recommend it.  I met so many wonderful people who are doing really interesting art and I’ve come back super-charged-up and raring to go... once I get over the jet-lag of course!