| Rachel Ryan
I am interested in the intrinsic structure of fabrics, both of the fabrics that I use in quilt construction, and the fabric that I create by weaving together the warp and weft of my tapestries. Perhaps that is why I’ve been turning my attention more recently to structure within environment, both natural and constructed.
I began making my art based on folktales, set against the backdrop of rural Newfoundland, where I grew up. I then began creating surreal landscapes which combine my own experiences and surroundings with dream imagery and realistic elements.
My work has always retained a strong environmental component, and I find myself becoming more and more interested in the interactions of human construct within the natural world, as well as the balance of secular realities and the sacred realm.
In addition to tapestry weaving, I am interested in combining quilt techniques with acrylic painted canvas. Machine stitching and layering of fabrics on the painted surface is a hybrid of art and craft, which I feel is a dynamic and innovative process.
I studied textile/fine art at the Anna Templeton Centre in St. John’s, NL. and at the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, AB. My work has been shown in Canada, the USA, and Japan, and I currently maintain a full-time studio practice
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EDUCATION
1999-2000: Memorial University, St. John’s, NL. English Major.
1996-1998: Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB. BFA Program.
1994-1996: College of the North Atlantic, St. John’s, NL. Diploma of Textile Studies.
1993-1994: College of the North Atlantic, St. John’s, NL. Certificate of Garment Construction and Design.
1992: Memorial University, St. John’s, NL. General Studies.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2005: Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS. Export Development Workshop Series.
2005: Anna Templeton Centre, St. John’s, NL. Proposal Writing: Gloria Hickey.
2004: Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design, Halifax, NS. Beginner Throwing: Janet Doble.
2003: Gerald Squires’ Studio, Holyrood, NL. Portrait in Clay: Gerald Squires.
2003: Anna Templeton Centre, St. John’s, NL. Portrait Painting and Drawing: Jim Maunder.
2002: Granite Club, Waterloo, ON. Machine Embroidery: Annette McMaster.
2002: Granite Club, Waterloo, ON. Applique: Laurie Swim.
2001: Craft Council Clay Studio, St. John’s, NL. Figurative Clay Sculpture: Elayne Greeley.
2001: Anna Templeton Centre, St. John’s, NL. Stained Glass: Brian Drover.
2001: Arts and Culture Centre, St. John’s, NL. Bookmaking: Tara Bryan.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2007: Framework, Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax, NS.
2007: Three Continuums: Heaven, Earth and Body, Mym Gallery (in ArtsPlace Gallery), Annapolis Royal, NS.
2006: Terra Incognita, Craft Council Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
2002: Secret World, Craft Council Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2001: Behind the Veil (with Janet Peter), Craft Council Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
1999: Anima Loci (with Brenda Stratton), Craft Council Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2007: Group Exhibit, Art in a Box gallery windows, VIA Rail Station, Halifax, NS.
2007: Common Threads, World of Threads Festival 2007, The Gallery, Sheridan Institute, Oakville, ON.
2007: Self Portrait Exhibit, Ross Creek Centre For The Arts, Canning NS.
2007: Celebrate Craft: A Contemporary Craft Mosaic, Craft Council Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
2006: Full Frontal: A Celebration of Boobs and Bras, FRED Salon & Gallery, Halifax, NS.
2005: In Praise of Function (contemporary designs for the home), Craft Council Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
2005: Then & Now: An Exploration of the Women’s Movement (curator: Bonnie Leyton) Craft Council Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
2005&2004: Summer Song Exhibit, The Leyton Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
2007-2000: Annual Members Show, Craft Council Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
2004: World Quilt Competition (traveling exhibit): De Vos Place, Grand Rapids MI and The Centre of New Hampshire, Manchester NH, USA.
2007-2002: Comfort and Joy, Craft Council Gallery, St. John’s, NL.
2004: Currents, Canadian Embassy Gallery, Washington DC, USA.
1999: Arts & Letters Awards Exhibition, Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL.
2002: Moorings, Gallery 611, Toronto, ON.
2002: Connections, Interpretation Centre, North West River, NL.
2002: Kitchener-Waterloo Annual Quilt Show, Granite Club, Waterloo, ON.
2001: Coastlines, Canadian Consulate Gallery, Osaka, Japan.
1998: Textile Department Graduation Show, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, AB.
GRANTS/ AWARDS
2005: Prize recipient: Best New Product, Dept. of Innovation, Trade, and Rural Development, Fine Craft and Design Fair, St. John’s, NL.
2004 & 2002: Prize recipient: The West Award for Personal Expression, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL.
2003, 2002, & 1999: Prize recipient: Visual Arts Award (Senior Division), Arts and Letters Awards, St. John’s, NL.
2002: Grant recipient: New Creations Fund, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL.
2001: Grant recipient: Arts Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL.
1998: Prize recipient: Tapestry Merit Award, Alberta Collage of Art and Design, Calgary, AB.
1996: Prize recipient: Student Merit Award, Anna Templeton Centre, College of the North Atlantic, St. John’s, NL.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
2005-Present: Exhibitions committee member, Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design, Halifax, NS.
2006: “Full Frontal” Fundraising Art Show Coordinator (raises funds for breast cancer survivors of Nova Scotia), Halifax On The Front Line, Halifax, NS.
2005-2006: Exhibitions committee member, Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS.
2004: Coordinator of demo booth, NSDCC Christmas Craft Market, Halifax, NS.
2002-2005: Craft Fair committee member, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL.
1999-2004: Gallery committee member, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL.
1999: Craft Council Annual Christmas Craft Fair radio advertisement, VOCM, St. John’s, NL.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
-Annapolis Region Community Arts Council
-Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council
-Visual Arts Nova Scotia
-Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
-Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
COLLECTIONS
-Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
-Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
-The City of St. John’s, NL
-Numerous national and international private collections
PUBLICATIONS/ REVIEWS/ WEBSITES
-Visual Arts Nova Scotia web page, http://vans.ednet.ns.ca/ (e-studio directory).
-Craft Council web page, www.craftcouncil.nf.ca (gallery section).
-Filly.ca, online article “Getting Artsy With Titz n’Glitz”, http://www.filly.ca/entertainment/centre_stage/arts/titz-n-glitz.asp, Oct. 2006.
-Book Publication: “Drawn to the Edge: Celebrating the Art Collection of North America’s Easternmost City”, City of St. John’s, NL, published in 2006. (Artwork featured on p.17)
-Weekend Arts Magazine, CBC Radio Interview, Jun. 2006.
-The Telegram, “A Journey Into Worlds Unknown” St.John’s, NL., May 19, 2006.
-The Telegram, “Women’s World” St.John’s, NL., Mar. 11, 2005.
-The Washington Diplomat web page, www.washdiplomat.com, Jan. 2004.
-The Arts Today, CBC Radio Interview, Mar. 2004.
-The Morning Show, CBC Radio Interview, Jun. 2002.
-Downhomer Magazine, St. John’s, NL. May 2002/ Vol. 14 No 12.
-The Express, St. John’s, NL., Nov. 28-Dec. 4/ 01, Mar. 21- 27/ 01, Nov. 3-9 1999.
-The Newfoundland Herald, St. John’s, NL, Mar.19 2001.
-Receiving the World Events Guide, Dept. of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, 2001. (Artwork featured on the cover)
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