MVTM Announces Winners of New Awards

MVTM Announces Winners of New Awards - theHumm November 2020

The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM) is proud to announce the KDS Fibre and Textile Art Award winners, recognizing excellence in fibre and textile art. The award has been created as a showcase of the most current and versatile approaches to fibre as a medium. In order to profile the breadth of the craft, three award categories are in place to celebrate the work of emerging, mid-career and established women artists aged 50 and over.

The contest was open to all Canadian female artists over 50 who have produced artwork in the last two years with fibre or textile as the principle element. Selected artists were awarded in one of three categories: established artist, $3000; mid-career artist, $1500; emerging artist, $500. And as if winning wasn’t enough, they also have an opportunity to have their work on display at the museum in the near future.

Says MVTM curator Michael Rikley-Lancaster: “What an honour to launch this award as part of both the 35th anniversary of the museum and the 25th year of Fibrefest. And what a double honour to do so because a private donor wanted to establish, and fund, an award to empower female artists. It’s a great way to give back to the textile arts community and to show the support for the type of art and craft that is so fundamental to all that has made the museum the dynamic place it is today. All of us — staff, volunteers, artists — are grateful for this gift and challenge.”

Jurors Anne Kelly, Marjolein Dallinga and Sayward Johnson volunteered their time to review just under 50 submissions, and are proud to announce the winners:

Established Female Artist

Melanie Chikofsky’s long and varied career as an artist/educator began in childhood. Her first forays were in ceramics until she attended a specialized art program at the secondary school level, followed by studies at Sheridan College School of Design, all contributing to a wide-ranging passion for art that also informed her zeal for teaching.

The vicissitudes of life have continued to shape Chikofsky as an artist. Since 2000, she has been the Director and Lead Instructor at the Al Green Sculpture Studio School, where teaching adults sculpture has propelled the acquisition of many new technical skills that have had a profound impact on her current art practice.

Mid-Career Female Artist

Judi Miller is a textile artist specializing in free motion embroidery. Using a variety of threads, colour and weights, Judi creates pieces with finely stitched details on a painted fabric base. She uses her sewing machine as her artist’s tool, no different from a paint brush or pencil.

Judi’s inspiration springs from so many sources but most often explores the natural landscape. Her embroidery technique lends itself to capturing light, colour and movement that help create a strong sense of memory and place.

Emerging Female Artist

Sue Clark has been actively creating since making her first crayon markings at age one. Encouraged by creative parents, Sue pursued her artistic goals at Ontario College of Art and Design (AOCA, Fine Art,1983), working her way through college and post-grad years in commercial art studios and public art galleries. During this time Sue staged her first solo exhibition of paintings titled Tree Portraits.

Sue moved west more than 30 years ago to live close to her greatest inspiration — the mountains, sea, and especially the trees and forests of Vancouver Island. Since selling the vibrant retail business she partnered in for the past 30 years, Sue has been actively exploring opportunities to exhibit her stitched artworks to a wider audience.

The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is located in the annex of the former Rosamond Woolen Company in Almonte. Constructed in 1867, this National Historic Site of Canada features a blend of the old and new, all related to the history of the Mississippi Valley and the textile industry. Visit, become a donor, become a volunteer — our history is your history!

For more information contact the curator, Michael Rikley-Lancaster, at curator@mvtm.ca or 256–3754.

Showing the Local Love for the Holidays! - theHumm November 2020

By Kris and Rob Riendeau

Here at theHumm we’re big on local economies. The retail and service businesses in the small towns that we cover play a huge role in the cultural life of those towns. Each store, restaurant, or small enterprise attracts and serves a particular clientele — some inside the community, some from outside. Some businesses host their own special events; others join together with local festivals to make the whole experience more vibrant. Many provide support in cash or in kind to local initiatives. ......

MVTM Announces Winners of New Awards - theHumm November 2020