As
this project unfolds over the coming months, I will post email
responses on this page. I hope this will create positive dialog to fuel
this project. If you like you can post your comments on our blog at:
ms marsh:
i just stumbled on your website for the international fibre collective. i realize that i am to late to submit for this year but i would like to know if you will be doing this again next year? i am currently living in alberta. i don't know if you are aware of the oil sands projects in the north of this province but it is of grave concern to some of us. it takes one barrell of oil for every three barrels it will produce, it also takes the equivalent of three barrells of water to produce that same three barrells of oil. in any other time a cost benefit analysis of this would look ridiculous on paper but with the rising cost of oil some how this looks more profitable to those who aren't looking at the long term effects it will have on the enviorment.
the reason i want to partcipate is to show the rest of the world that we don' t all think this is the direction our province or our country,or the world for that matter, should be heading .
thank you
sherri decembrini
Hi Jennifer,
I
happened on your web site and I am very interested in helping
out. I tried to e-mail from the site, but it didn’t work for
me. I’m a publications editor in the Office of Publications at
SU, a painter, and a committed crocheter (specializing in lace). A
friend and I would like to make one panel each. We have a
Stitch'n'Bitch group that meets weekly. Maybe others in our group
could help out. I would also be interested in helping to put it all
together.
Let me know if I can help in any way.
Kathleen Miles, Syracuse University, Office of Publications, December 27, 2007
"Hiya Jennifer,
someone
just emailed me a link to your project and I would LOVE to take part in
this if you'd accept me. I'm an English fibre artist living in Northern
Ireland and will be in New York at the start of April helping to set up
the IFF's hyperbolic reef, which I'm involved in. I'd love it if
I could then come and help you at the Gas Station wrap the weekend
after. You can see my work at www.rockpoolcandy.com. Please do get in
touch if I can make a piece for you and come help install."
Inga
www.rockpoolcandy.com making the discarded loved
- Inga, Northern Ireland, December 21, 2007
“Hi!
My name in Rebecca Wombell, I'm a recently graduated artist working in Lincoln, UK.
Your project as advertised in Artist's Newsletter sounds fascinating, and I
would love to be involved. My work amalgamates textiles, collage, drawing and projected
media to explore ideas about the surface and scale. Recently, my work has
explored collage and crochet, working with found and re-used materials.
Please can you send me further details about this project, I hope to hear
from you soon!
With best wishes”
- Rebecca Wombell, Lincoln, UK, December 7, 2007
"Hi
Jennifer, thanks for your enthusiastic response! I'm still really
interested in the project, could you please send me more information
about it?
I
would rather email you an image than send you artwork immediately. As
I'm sure you understand, work is personal and valuable, so more
information would be really helpful. Perhaps you could let me know the
website address so I can keep updated? All best,"
- Helen, December 2, 2007
"Hi!
My
name in Rebecca Wombell, I'm a recently graduated artist working in
Lincoln, UK. Your project as advertised in Artist's Newsletter sounds
fascinating, and I would love to be involved. My work amalgamates
textiles, collage, drawing and projected media to explore ideas about
the surface and scale. Recently, my work has explored collage and
crochet, working with found and re-used materials.
Please can you send me further details about this project, I hope to hear from you soon!
With best wishes"
- Rebecca Wombell, UK, December 2, 2007
"Dear Jennifer Marsh,
I am contacting you regarding your call for fibre panels expressing concern about oil dependency.
I
am from Manchester, England, and am very interested in your project. I
happen to have recently made a textile panel with the text ' This is it
' appliqued onto a vintage tray cloth. The appliqued letters are all
made up of textiles that have a personal history for me.
I
hope you will be interested in including the panel in your project.. I
can email you an image if you would like me to. Kind regards,"
- Helen Plaumer, November 29, 2007
"Hi Jennifer,
By way of (re)introduction, I'm a Fibers/Material Studies grad student on a
leave of absence...we took a seminar class together during your first year at
school. I wrote a while back about participating and I'm working on a
panel for the collaborative.
I'm writing to inquire about the possibility of scheduling a workshop at the
Mundy Library on the Near West Side of Syracuse, where I
volunteer two days a week. I work with the neighborhood youth on
art-based literacy projects (most recently we've been hand sewing) and I've
been itching to introduce them to knitting and crocheting, and would love to do
it via your project, and get to work on a square with them (have them do
one and supervise its construction)!
Can you let me know what a workshop looks like/entails (how long is your
workshop, does it include a media presentation, and hands on teaching)??
Should I solicit donations of materials (or do you have some)? What projection
equipment would you need? In your experience, how many
students and what age range works best (how have your other urban kids
responded and how has that shaped what you do)? We have a community room
at the library and we are media enabled.
I currently work with youth ages 4-15, so I've got a good range (although the
little ones will perhaps participate in the last phases of decorating a panel
or have their own panel supervised by me/ the older youth). I don't have any
fiber/yarn or needles at the moment, but I will try to collect some in the
meantime if you think our participation is a good idea. My schedule
through December is Wed. 3 pm- 8 pm and Friday 3-5 pm. It changes in January
with my teaching schedule. Let me know what you think. Best,"
- Tina limpert, Syracuse, New York, November 26,2007
"Hi, Jennifer.
I
am a community/public artist working in St. Louis. This week we
are beginning preparations to decorate canvas panels for this project
in the Academic Resource Center at Webster University.
I'm
going to see if I can find a student who would like to make a film. I
also have a group of men who are homeless who will be finishing up a
piece for the project also. Hope all is going well."
- Con Christeson, St. Louis, Webster University, Novermber 14, 2007
Dear Ms. Marsh-
"Hi!
My name is Sarah Whipple and I am a journalism student at the
University at Albany. I'm also native of the Syracuse suburbs. When I
heard about the International Fiber Collective project over the summer,
it
really sounded interesting. I would love to write an article about the
project, both for my magazine journalism class and possibly
(hopefully!) for publication. If you are at all interested or
able, I would like to interview you by phone or e-mail sometime within
the next week. I can only imagine how busy
you are right now, so thank you in advance for your time!" Sincerely,
- Sarah K. Whipple, University at Albany, New York, November 13, 2007
”Hi Jennifer,
I
am a staff member here at Syracuse University in the Center for Career
Services; I'm also an artist and currently taking a professional
practices course with Sharon Gold. A few weeks ago, Sharon shared
your call for participation in your International Fiber Collaborative,
and so I am writing to you about your project.
Currently, a
few staff members and I are in the process of planning our department's
winter retreat which includes a team building project. The
retreat will be held on Friday, December 14 at the Inn Complete on
South Campus. For the team building project, we are thinking
about organizing a time for the office staff to work on a square to
submit for your installation. I'm wondering, if you are available
and in Syracuse on that day, if you would be interested in coming in
for a short "30-minute" artist talk about the project. The time
would be 9:30-10:00 for you to speak about the project and then we
would work on the project together from 10-noon. You wouldn't
have to stay to help work on the square, but if you are available, I
think hearing from you would be an added bonus! If you won't be
in town, or it doesn't fit with your schedule, I understand.
I
plan to discuss the project with the staff at our Friday morning staff
meeting this Friday in the a.m. So, if I could hear back from you
before that time regarding your availability on Friday, December 14
from 9:30-10:00 that would be terrific! Thank you!”
- Susan E. Filkins, Center for Career Services, Syracuse University, November 11, 2007
Hi Jennifer,
I
LOVE this project and would like to participate. I was thinking
about doing a 3' x 3' version of my piece titled 2,300. I am
attaching the write up and a small picture. Please let me know if
you think this would be an appropriate contribution to the project.
Also,
I am wondering if you have gotten the message out to WEAD
(http://www.weadartists.org/). This might be a group you would be
interested in joining if you haven't already connected. Keep up the great work! in gratitude,
- Harmony Susalla, Gualala, CA, November 9, 2007
I just wanted to email and tell you how fantastic i think this project is! I
have just graduated with a BA Hons Design for Textiles: Fashion,
Interiors and Art, from Heriot Watt University in the Borders of
Scotland and would love to be part of this project if you still need
panels? I love it when textiles become thought provoking!! Kind Regards,
- Jennifer Boulton,Textile Designer, Scotland, November 8, 2007
Hi Jennifer,
I will definitely check out the website. I saw the advert in Artists Newsletter, on the website that they provide members. Thanks for getting back in touch! Best Wishes and I'm looking forward to knitting!
- Kim Walker , I am a video and sound artist living in Glasgow, UK November 5, 2007
Hi there,
Are
you still accepting pieces to cover the abandoned gas station?
I'm interested in sending something, but wasn't sure if you have enough
already. Thanks,
- Willow , Public Art 4Culture, Seattle, WA, October 25, 2007
Hello Jenifer,
I am a felter, and would like to be contribute to the 'gas station cover' project. I use recycled fabrics as part of my processing, sandwiching with merino wool fibres. Is felting acceptble? Please let me know when you have time. Thank you in advance,
- Margy Alexander, October 25, 2007
Hi Jennifer,
Your project sounds really fun and exciting. I saw the listing in the RACC newsletter, based in Portland, OR. When I looked up your web site it was serendipitous to learn that you are a student at Syracuse.
I went there too and was in the fiber dept. I remember the area well. It's great that you are getting international support on this one. I'd love to send you a square. I will spread the word to my fiber
friends. Best of Luck,
- Allyn Cantor, Cannon Beach, OR, October 27, 2007
Dear
Professor Marsh, Thank you very much for your kind letter and
good job. , I was very busy recently, and just come back
yesterday evening. first my friends asked me to thank you and express
our support to you and your organization. As i mentioned last time,
there are several Chinese artists who wish to participate this great
event. her are two artists whom i consider are qualified to join this
exhibition. For they have developed new kinds of art forms
or two new kind of folk art based on the traditional Chinese handscraft
the art of paper-cutting; one is the art of silk-cutting, using a special
method to treat the silk and cutting them into beautiful images; 2
soft-sculpture, the real tree-flower leaf cutting, these two new art
forms have won award as new ideas and new creating of Chinese art. the
two artists are a couple,husband and wife as a group.
- Óñçñ ±«" , October 16, 2007, China
"Hi Jennifer,
Just a quick thought: Are you on Ravelry yet? If not would you like me to set up a group?"
- Marie, October 16, 2007
"hi jennifer!
my
name is debby and i have been following your mission for the
international fiber collaborative with interest. i belong to a
few knitting/crocheting groups and i am putting together a presentation
to our members so we may get involved by sending you off at least one
3ft panel. i see there are no submission requirements as far as
fiber content used for the panels. i was wondering if there was a
reason you would be accepting synthetic produced materials since they
are often based in petroleum and isnt that what we are taking a stance
against? thinking along those lines a friend of mine and i were
discussing suitable submissions and we thought a panel made of plastic shopping bags would be appropriate and ironic at the same time.
kudos
to you for gaining such sponsorship and taking the message of
knitting/crocheting and the fiber arts around the country! we do
what we can in our community to spread the word and get women & men
interested in this timeless craft. yours in fun and fiber,
- debby, October 16, 2007
I'm
really excited about your project and will donate a quilted block for
it. One question: should I leave the edges unbound or put on a
binding? I would like to do whatever is easiest for you.
Thanks and best of luck with this endeavor!
- Amy Bouse, October 16, 2007
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amybouse/collections/72157594587447525/
amybouse.com
"Jennifer - it was nice to meet you in Oakland (hanging out in the garden of the bar Saturday night). Sign me up to knit one square."
- Karen Rosenberg, CA, October 3, 2007
"Hi Jennifer, Thank you for all the info you e-mailed to me. I live in Bay Area, Marin County. I am interested in crocheting please let me know if you know any body around this area. Thank You"
- Fatemeh Katami, CA, October 3, 2007
“very
cool! it was great meeting you today and loads of fun talking with
you.Alex & I are already starting to think about our respective
squares, and she is planning to post copies of your flyer at her high
school (and maybe organize something there as well). what do you think
about the idea of setting up a group on Ravelry? It will undoubtedly
attract interested folks.”
- Ada and Alex Lai, Great Knit Designs, www.greatknitdesigns.com, CA, October 1, 2007
"Thank
you for the newsletter. As I told you yesterday I might have a
piece at home that I had begun that might be 3x3. I found one and
I will put it in the mail to you. Good luck, keep up the good
work and God Bless."
- Alice Pegram, CA, October 1, 2007
"I
have just received details of your wonderful project and as a textile
artist (admittedly partially sighted) I would love to
participate.I live in Winchester, England so I will not be able to help
very much with the actual exhibition. But my daughter lives in
Tacoma so if it is possible to visit her during the exhibition we may
get to see it. People do need to be made aware that the world’s
resources are running out."
Regards
- Brenda Parker, Winchester, England, October 1, 2007
“I am a fiber artist, but I work primarily in weaving and in felt making. I would prefer to make a 3-foot square piece of felt instead of a knitted piece. Is that acceptable?”
- Mathew Nowak, October 1, 2007
Yes that would be just fine. - Jennifer
“Hi
Jennifer - I have just read about your project to cover the gas
station. I would like to participate by creating a panel for your
project. If you are looking to reach more artists have you contacted quilt and fiber art magazines? Also I read about your project to make cozies for sheep. Can you tell us the concept behind this? Also have you considered the heat the sheep may be in during September while wearing cozies? I would love to hear back from you about the concept and your considerations and I look forward to creating a panel for your gas project.
- Gina Skillings, September 28, 2007
"Thank you for your responses, you interest and participation in this project is greatly appreciated. I have contacted over two dozen magazines and newspapers and have only heard back from about. Post Standard, Vogue Knitting, Jerk Magazine. And I have adds posted in Fiber Arts Mag, Sculpture Mag, Art deadline.com, Artdeadlinelist.com, CAA Opportunities, The Listings, and so on. I believe because the due date isn't until March 2008 people are holding off a little. I also believe people would like to continue seeing the website grow for a couple months before they announce this project. At the end of October I will send out emails again to all the magazines and newspapers. I try about every five weeks. Right now I am at the conference in CA, I have a booth trying to gain sponsors. I just received an offer for fiscal sponsorship from Allied for the Arts in Seattle WA. So if anyone should donate money to this project I can provide a tax write off number. Any ideas you have would be great. The Sheep...I would plan on doing the sheep project in the cooler weather. And of course I couldn't leave the outfits on very long. I have a performance art piece happening October 15 where I have finished one outfit and will be dressing one sheep and accessories the other sheep. It should be a little chilly by then, and if not the outfit will only be on for about one hour or so. I will just have to see how it works out. The out fit is extremely thick.My hand-spun wool is always pretty thick. Plus there are layers of decorative wool on the surface. This was basically my tester. If I would crochet cozies for a larger number of sheep and they would have to be in them for some time, I will have to come up with something much thinner, but still strong.”
- Jennifer Marsh, International Fiber Collaborative
"this is a great idea. would you consider felted pieces?"
- Linda Brooks Hirschman, Fiberartspace, September 28,2007
Yes, felt is fine. - Jennifer
"I am interested in taking part, and I do also have an interactive knitting piece, check it out: http://www.knittingnetworking.blogspot.com
Great idea, did you ever see Marianne Jørgensen's Pink Tank?
- Anni Holm, September 28, 2007
"hello.
my name is Charlotte. my sculpture teacher told me about this
project. i'm interested in participating. is there
anything special that i need to do before i start working on my panel?"
- Charlotte Exantus, September 28, 2007 , New Jersey University
"Hi
All, I went through my list to see who might be interested in
this fabulous installation. Please pass this onto any friends who might
be interested. You should also check out her work - very exciting! (for
those of you who felt, you may want to contact her to see if that's
acceptable) And Jennifer - keep up the great work!"
- Ellen, September 28, 2007
"I found your web site and have begun a block for your project. It may be that my daughter, who is 17 and a senior at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan,
will pick up on this herself. She is a mover and a shaker. Perhaps she
could get a few friends to contribute as a group. I will plant the seed
and we will see. She is studying costume design presently and will
major in fiber, maybe at CCS in Detroit
or MICA. Again, we'll see. Anyways, you have a good thing going.
Sounds like your travels have been very meaningful. Maybe a visit to
IAA as a guest? "No Blood For Oil" soon to arrive on your door stop. I used all left over scraps mostly from second hand stores. Most of those yarns are the worst! Thanks for the fun,"
- Alice Monti, September 20, 2007
"i would like to get involved"
- Michelle Foligno, Dobbs Ferry, New York ,September 20, 2007
"Hi Jennifer,
I live in Ithaca
and plan to do a piece for your project. I'd like to help with the
installation, reception or anything else that's needed. It's such an
exciting thing you're doing! Please let me know as the time draws
nearer what I can do to help."
- Joan Patrick, Ithica, New York, September 19, 2007
"I
would love to participate and submit a square for the gas station
cover. Most likely will be felt, reinforced with another medium, maybe
a type of nuno. Do we mail them to your Syracuse
addy?Would you please put me on the newsletter, thanks..It's ok to add
me on the website... Let me know what else I need to know,"
- Ellen Hedglin, Fiber/Jewelry artist, Village Fiberworks, Maine USA NETA
"So I get this email while I am minding my own business and it looks
spamspicious but it catches my eye. The idea is a good one. It amuses
me and I think to myself- “Self, this is something you shouldn't’t just
junk”. So I’m not. I would like to join in the fun. So I make a
panel and send it to you at an address that you will probably email to
me and then if you love it, it gets into the plan and if you don’t love
it and it would be an embarrassment to the cause and/or have
1,000 panels then you send it back to me???? I would like to know more
about how this works. Sounds awesome! You are going to have a BLAST
doing it and opening all the packages that arrive.
Thank you for the email.All the best,"
- Marjie McWilliams, California
"Thanks for writing me back! I am at Radford University in Radford,VA. My students are typical undergrads (although really terrificstudents) and some grad students in MFA programs. I have looked at the website - it's lovely and nice that you have suggested readings.Do let me know if there is more I should know or do beyond submitting our panels." Best,
- Courtney Weida, Radford University, VA
"Jennifer,
Thank you so much for including me in your offer for the
collaborative. I am interested in participating, but when I went to the
website, I couldn't click on the right-hand menu items. Can you
help?
I would also like to let you know about the International Quilt Festival in
Houston, TX.,
Nov. 1 - 4, 2007. I bet they would give you a table, either in
the exhibit hall or on the 2nd floor of the George R. Brown Convention
Center for a display and booth. Classes begin Oct. 29, so that week is
available, too. Go to
www.quilts.com There is a place to "Contact Us" on the left.
Thanks for your help."
- Beth Kennedy
"My name is Courtney and I am an artist and art education professor who loves to crochet! I think your IFC project sounds amazing, and I would love to participate - if possible with some of my students. Please email me more information. Thank you,"
- Courtney Lee Weida
"Hi Jennifer,
I
just heard about your call for fiber artists in regard to our countries
dependency on oil for energy, I am very interested in participating.
How do I go about this? I tried going on your website but it seemed to
not be up and running yet. Looking forward to hearing back from you."
- Victoria Paskett
"This is an interesting idea, I'll be sending a square or two. Best wishes,"
- Laurie Carlson
"I will send a knitted panel."
- Caroline LeBlanc, Wilderness Heart Workshops
"Count me in!"
- Martha K. Grant, Verne, TX marthakgrant.com
"I am hoping to get my Intro to Fiber studio to construct a panel. Will keep you posted."
- Tracy Krumm, NCSU Department of Art and Design, September 5, 2007
"My name is Elena Plaza and I´m a Venezuelan fiber artist. I have also a home in South Florida (West Palm Beach) and will definitely participate in your project. The news about this extraordinary idea got to me through Elayna Toby Singer (Art in Public Places, West Palm Beach) because I belong to an artist organization there. Venezuela needs desperately to go back to our "normal" state of been a regular country, and leave behind this so abnormal condition of having
an economy supported by the oil income. You can´t imagine how irrelevant everything turns out to be within those economical parameters..!!! Even human lives are irrelevant in this country right now, not to mention hard work, intellectual effort, spiritual growth, etc .... The oil money overflows and suffocates everything... It literally corrupts every single trace of human dignity around it. Venezuela has become a superficial, corrupted and dangerous place to live in, but we Venezuelans are much more that that. We are not only pretty faces wrapped in easy oil money. This unfortunate condition of having become a "poor rich country" has truly involved some Venezuelan artists and thinkers into a much more socially concerned personal work. It has pushed many Venezuelans to become better people, more involved citizens. This historically u!
unfortunate event has turned into an opportunity of growth, yet still to mature and produce a better society for all of us. I am an art teacher at our main art school in Caracas, and if you allow
me, I´d love to invite my fiber art students to collaborate with your project. Please let me know if you are interested to have them. Some of them are really good!
Thanks for this healthy initiative and for your time reading my message.
Ah! By the way, Citgo is a Venezuelan based oil company...!!!
Regards."
- Elena Plaza Varacas, Venezuela , September 1, 2007
"How
is the project for the Dewitt gas station doing?I'll make another if
there is a need, and want to participate in putting it together."
-Carol Lovell, Central Square, New York, August 30, 2007
"Would
you be interested in having a Fibers class send in several panels for
the gas station? Are you anywhere near you quota? Thanks"
- Brooks Harris Stevens, Eastern Michigan University
"Wonder
how much gas it will cost to get everyone there and back? And how much
gas will be used up getting the materials to the artists? Kind of
reminds one of the outcry about sweatshop labor, and the downtrodden
children being forced to make clothing for rich Americans, on then felt
guilty and demanded the sweatshops be shut down, resulting in the
children's only sources of revenue to be prostitution or begging (after
being disfigured or maimed by their parents to invoke sympathy from
others). Please, think about the results of the "cause" not just how it
makes everyone feel all Kum-by-Yah about Making a Statement."
-Taylor, August 27, 2007
"hi
there, I would like to plan to do some work for the project, and I'll
let others know about it as well. I'm actually from Syracuse, but
haven't gone back for years, tho my family is there. this sounds like
one of the more interesting things to happen in that area for awhile :)
I'm in Boston area now. I'm an artist and i also spin wild yarns:best
wishes!!
- Linda Scharf Stoneleafmoon August 27, 2007 www.stoneleafmoon.com
"Yes
I would like to participate. I live in Fishers, Indiana and heard about
your project from an art teacher/friend that teaches at the local
elementary school."
- Gail Kincaid Fri, 24 Aug 2007, Fishers, Indiana
"I
have two 8th grade classes that are working in Fiber Arts this
semester. I think this would be a wonderful project for them to
collaborate on. Would you accept work from students? Thanks,"
- Cathy Bullington, Bedford Middle School, August 24, 2007
"I
would like to participate in the international fiber collaborative by
submitting a 3' x 3' panel. Please include me on your mailing list.
Thank you very much."
- Christi Beckmann, Colorado, August 23,2007
"I
love this idea, and would very much like to participate. When thinking
about this project, I immediately thought of the 70's oil embargoes and
energy crises, and thought of all the yarns made of petroleum products
and am thinking along the lines of doing using lots of 70's synthetic
yarns and colors and symbols and somehow tying it into today-haven't
quite figured it out but, then I reread the directions-always a good
thing, and I see you really want natural yarns and fibers. Would the
70's thing then be a no-go? I would still want to do a panel, I would
just need to re-think it. Thanks,"
- Kelly Saderholm August 22,2007
"I'd love to contribute a panel! I'll start working NOW - Cheers,"
- Barbe Saint John - August 22, 2007
Saints and Sinners-Mixed Media Jewelry, Art and Yarn barbesaintjohn.com
"I like your idea.I will participate in your project.I belong to the Colonial Piece makers Quilt Guild, located in Williamsburg, VA. They sent an e-mail to all of their members about your project. I will make a quilt to send for use in your project. I will expect to send it to you in September.Thank you and good luck."
- Kathy DeCarlo -Williamsburg, VA August 20, 2007
"I've
just heard about your gas station project, and I'm totally in love with
the idea. I'm a quilt maker, and I work exclusively with recycled
materials.Please tell me if 3X3' is the desired cut size of the panels, or if we need to add a seam allowance? Thanks! Peace,"
- Vicki Ryder, Syracuse, New York, August 19, 2007
"My
name is Yuheng Bao, A Chinese--American scholar of
Art History who has taught Art History for more
than 20 years , now is serving as SENIOR professor of VISUAL ART
AT THE Dept of Media; Art and Technology in HARBIN institute of
technology. I am writing this letter to YOU concerning THE
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF FIBER ART which you are
organizing. As you know the art of fiber in China
has a very good tradition of more than 4000 years. which is now as one
of the most popular form art in China. i am told by one of my
American colleague who suggested me to invite some of the good
fier artist of china as a group to participated your exhibition. and
she is sue that the traditional Chinese fiber art will
be certainly welcomed by America\can People. As their are so
many well-known Chinese artist who wish to join your event."
- Yuheng Bao, China, August 19, 2007
"Hi...I
just wanted to let you know that I'm going to participate! I'm
not sure how yet, as an individual or with a group, but since I live in
Rochester and it's not that far away, I"d love to be involved!! I
may also have some yarn to donate to you! good luck...I love this idea!"
-Julie White, Rochester, New York, August 18, 2007
"Please
to inform you that I will be participating in the International Fiber
Collaborative. Kindly let me know if you need any further information
from me."Thank you
-Marie Haigh, Knitted Gems, August 18, 2007 knittedgems@gmail.com
"I came across your site through the craftiness blog. I am a member of a Stitch N’ Bitch group in Northeast Georgia and so far, about six of us are interested in participating in creating our ‘Georgia Square’.
I have the form information and deadline, but I wanted to drop you a
quick line to let you know that we were planning to participate."
"What a fantastic idea!"
-Amanda Kroll, August 17, 2007 www.quinlanartcenter.org
"I
have 3 afghan type small circular things my wife got at an auction. We
don't know what they are but, I think you could incorporate them into
your project. I am willing to drop them off instead of mailing... same
address?"
- Thomas H., Syracuse New York, August 14, 2007
"Jennifer
-- I just love what you are doing!! I read a lot of the comments on
line and have a couple of my own. People were concerned about wasting
their time/resources for this and not giving to a "charity." My
response is: make something of equal value or more and make sure to
give it to charity. That way one can be true to their beliefs and also
participate in giving art to the world (which we all need!). I most
definitely will be doing both and personally I can wait to see what we
all collectively can do!"
- Carole H., New York, August 14 2007
"I
am very excited to participate in your project to cover the old Citgo
gas station. I do have a question. On you home page it says a 3"X3" a
square fiber panel and on the How to participate page it says a 35"X
36" square fiber panel. Would you please clarify which size you
would like? I want to submit a square. I am very excited about
this project and can't wait to submit a panel to you."
- Suzy T., August 14,2007
"i
don't understand what this is all about a friend emailed this to me. is
there a point to all this except to bring awareness to gas prices. how
will this help?? i am not trying to be rude or sarcastic but as an
owner of a craft group online and off (we make things for charities) i
really think that the hard work could be used for more useful things
like charities and the people who need them. for example if you said u
want squares to make 1000 afghans to cover the station and then donate
them afterwards but i don't understand covering it (and if weather is
rainy) all these will be no good afterward and a waste more productive
to use for charity and use the publicity of it to help others. please
respond and like i said i am not trying to be rude but in todays day i
feel the hundreds of dollars making these squares could be
used elsewhere"
- Sandra, New York, August 11, 2007
Sandra,
I truly appreciate your interest. You have an extremely valid point. I
recently volunteered as an English teacher in Northern India, this had
a dramatic impact on my world view. I agree that as a participant in
our communities we are obligated to take care and support those who are
in need, and we are blessed with those brave citizens who devote there
lives to this line of work. As I have actively been apart of
international charity work, to a degree, I have also tried to develop
programs locally.
Last spring I founded and
directed a workshop for Syracuse City High School Students to visit
Syracuse University and participate in a mold making / aluminum pouring
demonstrations. An experience that would open students eyes to the
possibilities to art making, problem solving,etc.
With the International Fiber Collaborative I am
mostly concerned with creating dialog between fellow participants and
the community. To participate in this project can be very inexpensive,
it does not cost hundreds of dollars, the panel shown as an example
cost $12.00. I am focusing on a "World filled with doubts about a
global energy order based on a finite and problematic substance -
Oil."-Paul Roberts, I realize this is such a very broad topic, and may
be problematic. However, I receive emails on a regular basis from
people all over the world who are excited about participating in
recognizing global issues through a collaborative such as
this.
So I feel like this project is
contributing to a productive growth in dialog in our society, and that
is what this project is about. Will it change anything, fix any
problems? Well, it might, it is hard to speculate how exactly a project
like this may effect peoples lives. It is possible that the dialog
created by a project like this could generate great optimism and
positivity, whether it is the everyday patron driving by or
participants viewing the panels installed at the reception, this is my
hope.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Marsh, August 11, 2007
"I
graduated in May with my BFA in art photography; I am now working
professionally but want to start grad school part-time within in a
year. Not sure in what yet, but either art history, philosophy or
photojournalism.
I live here in Syracuse and I
would love to document your event for you through photos and video, if
you would like? I could also photograph your work as it is in progress
for you, if you would like. I haven’t crocheted in years but would love
to make a panel for your project. I’ll get out my crochet hooks and
give it a try. I am also a quilter – could I make a quilted 36x36 patch
or do you only want crocheted or knitted panels? The color I choose
will certainly have significance with regard to the price of gas, gas
in general and what it means to our environment."
- Cathryn, Syracuse, New York, August 11, 2007 1:05pm
"I
am a Long Beach California fiber artist. I am very interested in
contributing a 3'x3' square for you project. I wanted to know if you
had a limit on the number of squares you will accept. Not that I am
planning on sending several, but my local group may also wish to
contribute. Thanks for this opportunity, I like your ideas!"
- Sandra C., Long Beach California, August 9, 2007
"This
sounds like an amazing project. I would definitely like to
participate - I will also forward your email to my list (Toronto Church
of Craft) and to the Toronto Craft Alert."
- Leah B., August 8, 2007
"I
spoke with a couple members of our Crochet Guild and we do plan to
participate. You are more than welcome to check out our web-site
as well: www.southwestohiocrochetguild.com. Looking forward to
participating!!"
- Karen B., Chillicothe, OH
"I
teach textiles here at SFSU and thought your project would be a perfect
match for my students and i am wondering if the project is open for
student artist involvement?"
- Victor D., San Francisco, CA
"Dear Jennifer,
Though
I too am concerned about the world’s dependency on oil, I can’t help
but question the point in spending so much money, time, and energy on
creating a covering for the gas station as highlighted in today’s Post
Standard. I know of many organizations that serve needy children and
families who would put afghans, quilts, and blankets to good use to
keep themselves warm during the colder months. Please consider using
your God given talents as an artist to help people in that way instead."
- Peggy O., New York. August 11, 2007
"I
drive by this station almost daily.That's fascinating is to stop and
look at the price of gas frozen on the pumps, from.... who knows what
year!!Wonderful story to wake up to this morning. Best to you. The
project seems blessed already with good karma."
- Gary W., Dewitt, New York, August 11, 2007
"Just read about your project in The Post Standard,great idea,best of luck!"
- Chopper, MySpace.com, August 11, 2007
"Wow!
Count me in for a panel for the garage covering! What a great
idea! I hope you get a great response locally. I have
crocheted Saran Wrap and dental floss but nothing to this magnitude.
How wonderful to see you project on the front page of the paper!
Loved the lawn mower and gas can sculpture/crochet too."
- Ellie M., Syracuse, New York August 11, 2007
"Hi.
I just wanted you to know that I think this is a very interesting idea
and I wish you luck. It does sound a little 'out there' but the project
will be a great way to bring people together and that is what the world
needs right now-a sense of community. I do have a question though -
what about those of us who can crochet but aren't
skilled at creating 'cool patterns'. Can we still submit? Do you have
suggestions or patterns for us?"
- Anne M., Syracuse, New York, August 12, 2007
Anne,
This project is open to all skill levels, you are welcome to submit any
design, just being apart of this project is greatly appreciated.
Remember if crocheting or knitting takes to long you are welcome to
quilt or stitch fabrics together. I will be sending news letters out
monthly, so you will be kept in the loop over the coming months. I look
forwards to seeing your panel.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Marsh
"I commend you for thinking and acting benevolently. Take care and be well"
- Peggy, Oswego, New York, August 12, 2007
"I
think this is something that could potentially increase tourism in the
CNY area. I wonder what other sorts of meanings people could come up
with your project ... one that comes to mind is that gas is expensive
and it won't be around forever ... wear a sweater! Is there a place
where people could get together to make squares, or where they could
donate yarn?"
- Towanda, Syracuse, New York August 12, 2007
Towanda,
Your interest is greatly appreciated, you bring up some great ideas. I
would love to have a group in Syracuse that would meet every now and
then to
work on these panels. I am sure there would be an arts center that
would provide a space for us. I will continue to think about this and
see what comes of it. If you have anymore thoughts on this please contact me. To
answer your question about donation of yarn, I will most likely
crocheting the majority of the gas pumps so any donations of yarn to
that effort would be greatly appreciated. If you have some that you
would like to donate, you can either mail or drop off the yarn to the Syracuse
University address listed on the contact page.If you drop it off just
give me a quick call the day before to let me know that your coming. I am excited to see your panel. And thank you for your response.
- Jennifer Marsh
"I
missed the article in the paper, but was lucky enough that someone
posted it on CNYGoesGreen. The idea is great that by
reading all the responses, people who have not been motivated by a
project before are wanting to join in! I love that! I also love
the idea of all the people with scraps of yarn not big enough to make a
use able project would love to donate to your cause. This project
is great because you don't have to be a perfect knitter or crochet
person to make a contribution! Even more of a reason to get involved.
Then once they are encouraged may learn to hone their skills..
Another thing came to mind would be to crochet all those plastic bags
that are made with barrels of oil and then take forever to decompose
and disappear. They usually will pull apart in strips and make them a
great medium to crochet, as well as make a further statement about
dependent oil usage.
They litter our landscape and serve little purpose afterward.
Some do try to at least reuse them a second time, as trash liners,
doggie poop scoop, etc, but most bags made today are so easily torn
that you usually cant reuse them. There used to be bag recycling bins
at some stores but they are beginning to disappear."
- Cher, Syracuse, New York, August 13, 2007
"It was nice talking to you about my kids and your project. A reminder of my interests:"
-- my students contributing work
-- my help where needed in installation, etc.
-- info on your workshop for my high school class"
- Tina, Art Teacher, Roberts K-8 School, SCSD
"As
a lifelong resident of DeWitt who recently moved into a house on
Cumberland Avenue, I have watched that gas station go through two
extended periods of neglect and decay now. The latest began
sometime in the early 2000s, but the station was also "abandoned" for
much of the 1980s. There used to be an Arco station on Nottingham
Road right in front of Eckerd (Fay's at the time), almost next door to
Glisson's Mobil station on the corner. It took the Town of DeWitt
at least fifteen years to condemn that building, which hadn't been used
since the early 1980s and was finally torn down in the late 1990s.
I'm e-mailing you because I'm wondering if you, having met the owner,
would be able to discuss an idea of mine with him. I've thought
that instead of waiting for ten more years until the building falls
into the ground it would be nice it that area could be turned into a
small green space. It wouldn't be a park or have much use for
pedestrians, but it could have attractive plantings or perhaps a sign
welcoming people to the Nottingham and Southeast University area.
It could greatly enhance the physical beauty of the area, whereas the
building that is there now stands as a testament to the decay of
Syracuse."
- Steven M., Syracuse, New York, August 13, 2007