3rd Annual TraillWorks Student Art Show Opens

There is a wonderful feeling when you walk into your own exhibition. You see the work as a true extension of yourself. Win or lose, your interests have led you to an accumulation of your personal expression, signed lower right, mounted to best advantage.(Robert Genn)

Works by Monica Solano, Alyse Delaney, and Laurel O'Rourke

Saturday night marked the opening of the 3rd Annual TraillWorks Student Exhibition, which happens to correlate with Youth Art Month. As talks of cuts to art programs are discussed around the country, over 15 student artists exhibited their works that they created over the past year. I'm so proud of their hard work, creativity and ingenuity, as well as the large number of students that wanted to exhibit. Creating artwork is certainly our focus of lessons at TraillWorks, but I deeply believe in showing student work and allowing students to experience in the process of a piece from creation to completion with it hanging on a wall or on display. We artists can spend hours toiling away at our craft, but if it artwork remains hidden, in my opinion, it doesn't much exist.

Students looking at the artwork

Some of my Saturday students

Student, Katelyn O'Connor, viewing the artwork

Students also need to see work of other students. My lessons are very intimate, with six students in the largest class. It's important to see what other ideas and techniques are being worked on, enabling their vision to widen. My students brought friends and family with them to the gallery to show of their accomplishments. For about three hours, students and their guests streamed in and out, looking at the work of other students, as well as their own. The students had an opportunity to meet and talk to the other students and learn more about each others' artworks. As part of the exhibit, students were asked to write a short reflective statement which I hung next to each piece. 

Heart-shaped Sugar Cookies by Maddie Chymiy - Voted Most Artistic

Food is always an important aspect of a reception and in this one I made it the secondary focus of the show. I invited attending students to enter a food item, sweet or savory, to be judged by the guests for its creativity and artistic presentation. This was a nice way of creating a participatory environment, but also avoided giving awards out for the artwork. We had over ten entries - see all of them on the TraillWorks Facebook Page. Three participants won for the most artistic, the top entry being one of my youngest students, Maddie Chymiy, for her painted heart cookies. Phillip Nezamis won in second place for his Rice Krispy castle, and Hannah Manning, Nikki Manning, and Jessica Sparling tied for third place for their individual entries. A fourth award was given to a guest who didn't personally enter, but voted. Dr. Kevin Shaw was randomly selected as the winner. All four winners were offered a choice of prizes ranging from a lesson credit at TraillWorks, gift certificates to local merchants, restaurants, a Dick Blick gift certificate, and an Art Gallery Cookie package from A Cake Dream. 

My husband, Lee, our son, Joel, Corrie Guddemi, and William Somma drawing during the reception

Joel and Me as he was leaving.

Families of the students

Being a family affair, my husband, Lee, and our son, Joel came by for awhile. Many of my students and their families have been around since I was pregnant and have watched Joel grow from a newborn, to an infant, and now a funny little toddler. My associate, Corrie Guddemi, my student, Will Somma, and my husband, Lee, all sat down with Joel to get a little creative. He loves coming to Mommy's studio, and he didn't want to leave. I'm ever so grateful for the supportive and loving clients I have that have embraced Joel since his very beginning. 

Many congratulations to all of the talented and eager students that I have had the joy of teaching, many for over five years now in Sussex County. I hope that TraillWorks will continue to be your choice for artistic growth, now into the future.
Visit our Facebook Page to view a full photo album of the art show.

Announcing Two Fall Art Workshops

Happy Autumn! I'm thrilled the leaves are starting to change in Northern NJ, although it's hot during the day, the mornings and evenings are cooling, bringing the possibility of change, and making my runs with Ringo more enjoyable. TraillWorks is evolving with the seasons and is pleased to announce two fall workshops with two very talented artists. 

Fabric Tassel Postcard, 6" x 4", by Martha C. Hall

First, No Sew Fiber Art, set for Sunday, October 24th from 10 -3pm will be taught by Martha C. Hall, an award-winning textile artist who is venturing into the teaching realm. She is a creative and consummate professional in everything she does and I anticipate this workshop being very well-received. I've known Martha for about three years; she impresses me in the way she presents her work and herself. She's a patient person, who is also very thoughtful about everything, the makings of an excellent teacher. I can't wait myself as I think Martha will open up new possibilities for my own work.

Workshop participants will make one to two pieces of small fiber art, one of which will be a postcard suitable for mailing. We will experiment with surface design techniques including fused fabric and papers, stamping, writing with fabric ink pens, freezer paper resists and stencils. Design concepts and tips for working on a small "canvas" will also be addressed.

No Sew Fiber Art with Martha C. Hall

Japanese Stab Binding Book, Mixed Media, by Renie Garlick

The second workshop, Japanese Stab Binding, set for Sunday, November 14th from 10 - 3pm will be taught by artist, Renie Garlick. Japanese stab binding is a decorative method of joining the pages of a book to it's cover. It's one of the simpler, yet very beautiful methods of book binding. Like Martha, Renie has similar qualities of a good artist / teacher. She knows her craft, is always well-prepared, and is able to offer alternative approaches or directions for her students. She's also very interested in building a sense of community through collaboration.

Homage to Julia Limited Edition Book, constructed by Renie Garlick / designed by Jennie Traill Schaeffer, $40 each

Renie and I have collaborated recently on a book together. She constructed the above book that I helped design using limited edition giclées of one of my paintings, Homage to Julia, as the cover image (still copies available.) One of the books made during the workshop will be a Japanese tortoise shell binding composed from pages designed by workshop participants. The other book created with blank pages with use a 3-hole punch style binding (shown above). The tortoise binding is ideal for work with single sheets of paper; makes lovely photo albums, journals and storybooks. Making your own book makes a touching gift. I made a scrapbook for my sister upon her high school graduation, and made a guest book for my best friend's wedding.

Japanese Stab Binding with Renie Garlick

Both of these workshops are suitable for beginners through more advanced students, mature teens through adults. There are only twelve spots available in each workshop and pricing is discounted for early registrants. All participants will be treated to a complimentary three-course lunch from Krave Cafe and Caterers in Newton. You can register above through Eventbrite or by contacting me at TraillWorks via email: jennie@traillworks.com or phone, 973-383-1307. I hope you'll join us for at least one creative day! jennie@traillworks.com