Library exhibit takes 'Journey to the Junkyard'

"Journey to the Junkyard," a colorful visual feast, is the October exhibit adorning the walls of the Community Room at the Sisters Library.

Original quilted art pieces by members of Central Oregon quilt guild Journeys were inspired by trips to a scrapmetal yard in Terrebonne.

Guild member Sheila Finzer of Terrebonne provided the initial inspiration for the junkyard pieces when she visited the facility and captured 300 photographic images of the beauty and interest to be found in rusting, discarded car parts, pipes, metal washers, and uncoiled springs.

Other members made their own treks to the yard, and each found her own inspiration, some incorporating actual pieces of junk or recycled materials into their creations, others creating more abstract representations.

Tonye Phillips, Camp Sherman fabric artist, carefully pieced her work and after it was completed decided to title it "Chaos." Another wall-hanging was made to look like a sketchpad, complete with cover, spiral binding, perforated edges where pages had been torn out, and an actual painting of a mullein plant next to a discarded wheel, all beautifully quilted.

Bend resident Donna Rice incorporated recycled glass in several different forms to create a colorful, highly detailed piece that must be viewed at close range to appreciate all the handwork and materials used. Beads along the fringed bottom were individually chipped out of recycled glass.

Mary Stiewig of Redmond used computer technology to create photo tiles from pictures of the ends of metal pipes, which were then printed on the fabric used to make her piece. The overall rust color of the fabric art enhanced the feel of old junkyard pipe.

The Journeys guild came together about eight years ago to share their love of quilting. Initially, their monthly meetings consisted of studying different techniques, but over the years they have evolved into a group of much greater depth. They now view themselves as individuals each on their own journey of discovery, as well as a group journeying together.

Each winter the guild hangs their annual show at Sisters Art Works (SAW) during January and February. Journey to the Junkyard is their 2014 show, which will be exhibited again at the Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show at the Oregon Garden in Silverton, January 23-25, 2015.

The group of like-minded women, who enjoy pushing themselves to develop their artistic voice and style, meet one afternoon a month at SAW to study, share, and plan. During 2014 they are working on creating their show for 2016, which will consist of a series of 10 pieces created in response to a central theme. Their show for 2015, a series of four, has just been completed.

The artistic creations made by the guild members involve much more than mere stitching. Before beginning a piece, each woman does research, identifies resources, and does personal introspective writing as a starting point for her work. During the creative process, the artists often refer to their writings for clarity and direction. Upon finishing a piece, they engage in more writing in response to what they have created and the process involved.

The mission of the guild is to "educate the community about fabric art, to be committed to the process, and to advance ourselves individually and as a group."

For more information about booking a showing of the Journeys' work, contact Tonye Phillips at 541-390-3630.