I am thrilled to be a part of this exhibit “X Marks the Spot” at Row Gallery in St. Charles, MO. September28-October 27. This exhibit is the result of a group book study organized by Becky Stevens, MoFA VP and me. It was offered to Missouri Fiber Artist members and was based on the workbooks by artist Ilze Aviks. It took place via Zoom over several weeks. MoFA member Deanne Row offered her gallery space in St. Charles, MO near St. Louis. Each piece incorporates printing on media, and stitching and is 10" x 10". The "X" motif was inspired by Ilze's work. My piece is on the upper left. I loved being a part of this from start to finish.
PUBLISHED IN ART QUILTING STUDIO Autumn 2023
I was very pleased to have an article about my monoprinted paper quilts published in Stampington’s Art Quilting Studio magazine’s Autumn 2023 issue. The article appears on pages 62-67 and details my intent, describes supplies used, techniques and tips for using my methods. I’ve been working with stitched monoprint collage, working on a series that focused on dream images and symbols. Along with the printed paper, I incorporate cut elements, using a Brother ScanNCut machine. In 2011, I was also featured in Art Quilting Studio’s Artist Portfolio category. I’ve always loved the magazine and found it quite inspiring, so it was very special moment to be included this year.
Designing Stencils and Masks for Printing
I love to use found objects, stencils and masks (the inside pieces of a stencil) for creating monoprints. It always felt a bit uneasy to use stencils created by other artists, in my original art. I recently decided to start a new venture, and bought a Brother ScanNCut electronic cutting machine.I thought it would be great fun to explore creating my own stencils and masks. It’s been a real challenge learning the new software, as it appears to be more based on Illustrator concepts, rather than Photoshop, which I am more familiar with. In the throes of frustration and trying to be positive; my newest mantra is “It’s great for my brain to learn new concepts”… so it’s going very slowly, but I am making progress. It’s great to be able to draw images which can be cut and used in a variety of ways. There’s a lot of potential, since after using for printing purposes, the colorful, interesting paper pieces may be used for collage, as you can see in the photos. It’s really opened up working in a new way and I am loving it! I am creating work for two three-person Kansas City exhibits, one in September of 2022 and another in 2022.
Pods, 8”x48”, monoprinted printed paper, attached to canvas, machine stitched
Detail, Pods, monoprinted printed paper, attached to canvas, machine stitched
CONTEMPLATIONS MoFA NEWEST PROJECT
I’ve had fun working on a new collaborative project for Missouri Fiber Artists group along with MoFA president Becky Stevens. It takes place over several months in 2022. It involves two aspects - members individually creating a book art piece for exhibition and also a professional development component. The prof development is a presentation of a critiquing method, along with slides of artists books created with fiber or textile media or methods. Jennifer Reis is presenting four workshops via Zoom on pertinent topics, emphasizing written and spoken artist communication skills. Follow the link for complete info. This project is open to anyone, including non-MoFA members. (Book photo by MoFA member Deb Lewis)
PROJECT PRINTMAKING 2021
I hope 2021 will be the year I work on upgrading my printmaking skills on both paper and cloth. I pulled out my Richeson Baby Press, a heavy table top press that I bought a few years ago and never used much. I am determined to improve my skills in collographic printing and monotype printing using the press this year. I am using an ink that’s new to me, Akua inks, as well as experimenting with varieties of cloth and paper. I am also combining the the use of gel plate and the method of frottage. It’s never simple, is it? But that’s the way I like it…feeling slightly overwhelmed! After recent print sessions, I began the collage effort and discovered some of the prints were easily shaping into flag-like compositions. Hmmmmm - I think I will be exploring that option.
Counterpoints 2020 - A Months-Long Project & Exhibit of Partnered Art
Since early Spring 2020, I’ve been involved with the organization & execution of a very special project involving 48 artists-members of a group I am a member of, Missouri Fiber Artists (MoFA). The ideas behind the project was to randomly partner 24 pairs of artists. Each partner began a 10” x 10” artwork in the media of their choice, using as a design framework an art element (line, shape, texture, etc.) chosen by the pair. When halfway completed, the artist mailed the piece to the partner to complete, in anyway chosen by the second artist. It was a fun and challenging project, which stretched our imaginations and brought members together in a unique way. It served to activate us during a time when we were restricted in our activities due to the pandemic. I am really proud of the work that resulted and the cooperation and dedication of the artists involved. There are plans by MoFA leadership to display the work in a dedicated gallery on the MoFA website and other platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook. I’m so looking forward to that! The opportunity to have an in-person gallery exhibit of the project came up. The Art Gallery at Central Missouri University will be showing the work from January 11-21 in Warrensburg, MO. There is an opening planned on Saturday, January 16 from noon to 4 pm. The gallery address is 217 Clark St., Warrensburg, MO 64093. The gallery’s phone is 660-543-4498. A reception is planned Saturday, January 16 at the nearby McClure Museum from 3:30-4:30.
A collage of a few of the Counterpoints 2020 participants artworks
FALL SMALL WORKS SHOW
I have two pieces included in the 4th Annual Fall Small Works Show at Stockyards Gallery, 1600 Genessee, Kansas City, MO. in the historic Livestock Exchange Building. The two stitched one of a kind monoprints are matted and framed and are 8x10. The exhibit is scheduled November 20-January 8. A reception is planned for November 20 from 5-8 pm. A great opportunity for holiday gift giving!
Stitched monoprint, Light of Day, 2020
Blog Article Published
On November 9 an article I wrote for the Surface Design Association’s (SDA) blog was published. The article details the First Annual FIber Art Exhibit at Stockyards Gallery, Kansas CIty, MO. Eleven SDA members were represented in the show, each briefly described and pictured.
https://www.surfacedesign.org/stockyards-gallery-first-annual-fiber-art-exhibit-by-mary-elmusa/
New Work in Stockyards Gallery 1st Annual Fiber Art Exhibition - Come to Opening 10/16
I am showing four beautiful stitched mono-prints at this gorgeous gallery in the historic Kansas City Stockyards area. The opening reception is scheduled for October 16 from 5-9 pm at Stockyards Gallery, 1600 Genessee, Suite 161, in the historic Livestock Exchange Building, Kansas City, MO. Guests must social distance, wear masks. The reception is open to the public and free. Normal hours are Fridays 1-5 pm and Saturdays 11-3 and by appointment. Telephone 816-719-7889. The exhibit runs through November 13. If not able to see in person, check out the virtual exhibition
Detail of Interlude, by Mary Elmusa
Selected as Contributing Artist for HAND Magazine
The HAND Magazine is a quarterly journal that’s devoted to contemporary reproduction-based art. I had two pieces selected to appear in issue #24, which were published April 2019. Those pieces were Pose and Holding, both black and white digitally manipulated stitched photographs on cotton fabric. I recently found out that I have new stitched & printed work accepted for Issue # 30, published in November 2020. HAND is a favorite magazine of mine, and features all manner of printmaking from artists around the world and is quite inspiring!
November Issue # 30
May 3-July 27 Leedy-Voulkos Exhibit
I have 8 new works in this group exhibit, "Fine Art / Fine Craft" New work by Kansas City Fiber Arts Group. Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, 2010 Baltimore in KC Crossroads. I am showing with a diverse and talented group of artists, curated by Valerie Doran-Bashaw. At the Artist Talk, each artist will speak about their work for 5 minutes. Light refreshments will be served.
AUG 2, 2018 KC Group Fiber Art EXHIBIT OPENING
June 8 KC WEAVERS GUILD Presentation
I've been invited to deliver a presentation of my work next month at The Kansas City Weavers Guild. According to their website, the group was organized in 1954 to promote hand weaving, spinning, and other fiber interests in KC area. They warmly welcome all fiber enthusiasts. The Kansas City Weavers Guild members are weavers, spinners, knitters, crocheters, dyers, basket makers, quilters, sewers, doll makers, tatters, felters, sheep and goat herders, jewelry makers, and lace makers. They paint, dye, embroider, embellish, batik, bead, marble, and cross stitch. If you work with fiber, they have a place for you! Their web address is http://kcweaversguild.org/
Work on Display at City Hall in Lenexa, Kansas
EXHIBIT Lenexa City Hall Gallery October 25 - November 30
My work will be included in the exhibit, "Finding Our Voices" at the Lenexa City Hall Gallery, located in Lenexa, Kansas. The address is 12350 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, KS - 66215 - 913.477.7500 I hope you can come to the reception Thursday, November 3 from 6-730.
Time Spent at QSDS Workshop in June 2016
I really enjoyed participating in a week-long workshop with the talented artist Terry Jarrard-Dimond in Columbus, Ohio at the Quilt and Surface Design Symposium (QSDS). The topic explored was the art element of shape. These are two studies I completed using my hand-dyed fabrics. The one on the left explores some symbols representative of family life and the one on the right is an abstract figure study. They each measure about 40 inches across. It was a great week spent with some extra fantastic people, including art friend Linda Frost of Lawrence, Kansas. We went on a bus tour and saw some terrific exhibits. Tuesday night I rented a table at a bazaar event and sold some vintage and artistic type clothing that I have collected over time....it's great to combine fun, travel and learning and it's also nice to be home again with family and good friends. 
Included in Publication of Creative Strength Training Book
I’ve been waiting a long time to receive my copy of the fantastic new book Creative Strength Training by artist and author Jane Dunnewold. I took Jane’s class by the same name online last year and it was a moving experience! (Click here to learn more about the class). I feel so fortunate to be a contributing artist to the book! See my work and writing on several pages. It’s now available in bookstores and on the Amazon website. Check out the link to look inside the book!It is described “Discover a Deeper Connection to Your Artist Self! Artists and athletes alike benefit from strength training. Building creative stamina takes encouragement, mentoring, and regular practice. In Creative Strength Training, you'll discover powerful strategies that combine writing and hands-on art-making to overcome creative stumbling blocks, develop a unique voice and make creating art a regular habit.” It’s an inspiring and helpful book! Here is a sneak peek below, showing my images & writing in print:
Showing in Transgressing Traditions Exhibit
I was so very pleased to learn that my diptych, Differing Perspectives from my Regeneration series was to be included in the exhibition, Transgressing Traditions. The show is at Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York. Click here for more details & a list of artists Dates are June 3 – August 21, 2016. More than 650 pieces were submitted by 267 artists from 9 countries and 36 states. Sixty six works were selected. The goal of the exhibition is to showcase contemporary fiber art that expands on traditional media and meaning, pushing the boundaries and traditions of textiles and fibers. Exhibit jurors included Dorie Millerson, Karen Hampton and Donna Lamb. Here is an SDA article which gives more info about this second international juried members exhibit.
An SDA Event & Article Written
In February 2016, along with Kansas City Art Institute’s Fiber Department, Chair Pauline Verbeek-Cowart and faculty, I hosted a Surface Design member’s gathering at the Institute. It was terrific to visit the department with around thirty Kansas and Missouri members (and guests) to hear presentations by three emerging recent grads. I was asked to write an online article for the Surface Design Association, describing the event, the grant process and how it was planned. The idea was to inspire other representatives and members to utilize resources and institutions they may have in their locations. As an alumna, I love revisiting KCAI and am so happy the event went well, thanks to all involved! Here is a link to the article I wrote, “How I Build Textile Art Community in Kansas and Missouri”. There are LOTS of pictures of attendees and participants! Read my article here.
Read the Feature Article
I was the featured artist in this edition of Art Quilting Studio magazine. The ten-page article was written by Rice Freeman-Zachery. I mailed over twenty pieces to Stampington Press in California to be photographed, and yes, that was a nail biting experience! If you would like to read the article, click here