Feature Exhibits

David Galchutt is a native southern Californian, who has been living on the Oregon coast for about six years. He was an illustrator for over 30 years and designer in the giftware industry, all while pursuing his own art.

The inspiration for David’s work comes from many places like nature and travel, to name a few. As he travels, he takes countless photos of landscapes, old buildings, and even fashion design elements, which sometimes find their way into his children’s book illustrations as animals in fancy clothing. One might think his work is computer generated, but not true, David draws and paints each intricate detail - once done in water-based paints, he now prefers oil paints.

Maine Fiberarts was formed to support Maine fiber and the fiber community both within and beyond Maine by hosting exhibitions, organizing studio tours, representing work to the public, maintaining a presence at art and agricultural events, and networking opportunities.

Maine Fiberarts is a statewide nonprofit membership organization formed in 2000. They welcome members who love and support fiber art and farms and the producers, makers and consumers who keep this wonderful and useful industry alive and prospering in Maine. Supported by members, organizations, and foundations dedicated to the arts and cultural heritage as well as sustainable agriculture and marketing.

By creating awareness of these arts and activities, they support Maine’s economy, enrich its cultural life, and broaden the resources available.

★Invitational Exhibit – Open to everyone. Your piece may be hooked, or you may use one or a combination of textile art techniques, such as:  braiding, needle felting, needle punch, proddy, punch hooking, quilling, ruching, shearing, or wool appliqué.

There are no Invitational Exhibit restrictions to size, shape, dimension (single or 3-D), or materials - however your piece must be registered online by JULY 1^st under the Feature Exhibit + Women’s Vote Centennial-Invitational. (The piece does not need to be completed by July 1^st only registered by that date.) Be sure to share background info on how and why your piece relates to the topic WOMEN'S VOTE CENTENNIAL in the “Interesting Information” box on the registration page – that info will appear on your Exhibit Card.

★Ami Mali Hicks – An American Suffragette, a founder and director of the National Society of Craftsmen, founder of Guild of Arts and Crafts of New York, founder and manager of Cranberry Island (Maine) rug industry, a trustee and treasurer of Free Acres, a writer, and an Artist of many mediums – including rug hooking.

Yes, some suffragettes were rug hooking artists and teachers!

★Votes for Women – a collection of hooked rugs by Norma Press:

“The topic Votes for Women is very close to me, literally and emotionally. Living in Central New York State, the epicenter of the American women's rights movement, I am surrounded by places where key events took place, and homes where leaders lived, and museums that tell their stories. Many of the early leaders were my “neighbors,” albeit a century or more ago - Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and more.”

“It took more than leaders to create a movement. Many women - privileged, middle class and struggling – understood the value of Votes for Women. They spoke up for it, and they created images to promote their cause, everything from their “protest” outfits to posters to pins to playing cards. These items ranged from simple and homemade to complex and commercial. What's compelling about these objects is that they were and are tangible representations of hopes and dreams. These items inspired me to hook a series of rugs and mats and to write an article for Rug Hooking magazine (Jan/Feb 2019).” ~ Norma Press