What does this mean to us?
Each day is an opportunity to sew, to teach sewing skills, and to involve others in the artistic nature and functional skill of
sewing.
We sew for our Community ~ We teach ~ We learn ~ We demonstrate our sewing
Living our mission brings a smile to those around us
Hi Ladies, I havebeen asked to write about my sewing education endeavors and share my adventures at the Yellow House, so here goes.
I have become an active member of the
Visual Art Center of Punta Gorda. It is a non-profit organization that
supports artist in the community. About a year ago the VAC (Visual Art Center) began renting a house (the Yellow House) which is located in History Park in Punta Gorda. It is for the Fiber Art
Artist to gather, conduct and attend classes at.
As a fiber artist it is like having a club house for me and all my creative artist friends to gather, learn, inspire and educate. We welcome all those who wish to expand their
creative life journey and learn/discover the world of fiber arts. Artist of all levels are accepted there. Experts work with beginners and everyone in-between to inspire and share their
knowledge. We all share our love of creating and support each persons artistic endeavors.
I myself have taught a Wearable Art Garment 6 week class...twice. In the class individuals get inspired, design a garment, get fitted and sew a one-of-a-kind art
garment. This class was a success in part thanks to ASG. This chapter of the ASG has loaned us 5 sewing machines which I use in my class. Some students have a machine and are encouraged to bring
their machine in if they need instruction in it's use but most use the user friendly machines that ASG provided. Thank-you for your support. We are truly using the machines to further the art of
sewing. The public has asked for a beginner/reintroduction sewing class so this spring/summer session I am offering "Dust Off Your Machine" class. There seems to have been a wave of " sewing
machine phobia" going around and some people want a class to get reintroduced to their sewing machine and the world of sewing.
There have been so many wonderful classes this winter. I took a vintage journal class and have now made 3 separate journals, 2 for genealogy (to document the men and
women in my family) and 1 as a memorial to my recently deceased dog.
I also took a class ( 4 weeks-1 day per week for 3 hours) on silk screen printing. We have a huge room for dying and painting fabric. The place is full of supplies which are
available for students to use, experiment and create with. Classes are more like scheduled play dates. Students are often having so much fun they want the class to continue past its scheduled
sessions.
We do have open studio time on Monday and Friday afternoons. They are supervised/proctored but no class instruction. You just come and play/create using our stuff and place.
Often other fiber artist are there and offer help and inspiration for whatever you are working on. People often use open studio time to make up a class they missed.
Many of our artist are snowbirds and are preparing to go back north. But many people are staying here year round and have asked for Yellow House activities to be scheduled for
this summer season too. So in answer to this, a few of us that are here in the summer are offering a few varied classes. We are trying a new format. The classes will be offered condensed into 1
week ( 4 days-- 3 hours a day)
Well, if any of this sounds interesting to you and your creative journey then go to Visual Art Center of Punta Gorda on your computer,
click on classes and check out what we are offering and when. The cost is quite reasonable and ladies, Punta Gorda is
not the other side of the world...it is just a ways down the road and well worth the trip! ................Happy creating!........Evelyn
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SEWING GUILD (ASG)
The American Sewing Guild (ASG) is a national organization for all ages at any sewing level. ASG members meet in Neighborhood Groups (NGs) to learn new sewing
skills, network with other sewists and participate in community service sewing projects. ASG membership offers a number of benefits- discounts, free tutorials, publications and more. ASG is a
non-profit 501(c) organization. We invite you to JOIN ASG today, meet sewing friends and
take advantage of the many discounts and benefits available to ASG members.
