Brazosport Art League opens a new exhibit, Women of the West in the gallery this week, featuring fiber art including art quilts, art dolls and beadwork by female artists Ginny Eckley, Susan Ennis, Janet Bodin, Kim Ritter and Kay Hendricks.
An opening reception for the artists, their families & friends and the community is slated for Friday, September 16 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM in the gallery. Come see the art and meet the artists!
About the artists:
Ginny Eckley and Susan Ennis had successfully created several collaborative art quilts which were shown in numerous art and quilt venues. When brainstorming about their next project, they decided to ask Kim Ritter to collaborate with them.
After many false starts, they decided to create work in the western theme that Kim was already working on, and to experiment with some of the digital printing options Kim had been using since 2004. Ginny and Susan added their own spin by painting and silk-screening over the digitally printed fabrics.
Janet Bodin joined the group a year later, creating 7 art dolls. She constructed the dolls down to the tiniest details such as handmade boots, beaded moccasins and lace stockings.
Kim Ritter then realized her quilts would look great with some hand beading. She asked her mother Kay Hendricks to add beadwork to her quilts. Kay has been making and collecting western beadwork for 40 years. She has a world-class collection of Native American art, jewelry and beadwork.
The exhibition was selected by the International Quilt Festival for its show in Houston in 2019.
Women of the West runs through Saturday, October 15. Tickets to the gallery are free, but reservations are required and can be made when you arrive or in advance. Hours of operation are 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.
