Margery Amdur
Exhibition and Community Project
January 16 – April 13, 2024
In “Seams to be Constructed,” artist-in-residence Margery Amdur will transform the Stedman Gallery at Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts into an artist studio and laboratory throughout a three-month exhibition. Amdur creates immersive textile installations composed of digitally printed designs that are cut and sewn using traditional and experimental techniques, hung on the wall as tapestries, and shaped into reliefs and wearable art.
The public has an opportunity to engage with the installation via a series of hands-on community workshops led by established women artists. This project is a part of (re)FOCUS, a collaboration of institutions and organizations in the Philadelphia region taking place from January – May 2024 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts.
ARTIST TALK & CLOSING RECEPTION
Thursday, April 11th, 5:00-7:00
WORKSHOPS
Join us for our series of free intensive workshops in the Stedman Gallery. Participants will get hands-on experience with a variety of artistic processes led by established women artists. Workshops will be held 11-4pm on Saturdays, and lunch will be provided. Space is limited.
Workshops:
“Forming Material Relationships” with Shelby Donnelly
Saturday, February 24th, 11:00-4:00
Join Philadelphia artist Shelby Donnelly in an exploration of the power and potential of material. Participants will reimagine existing fibers by delving into their physical properties, histories, and infuse new meaning into the old and discarded. Materials will be provided, but participants are also encouraged to bring their own scraps of fabric from home (whether old clothes, curtains, or tablecloths).
“Heritage Collages” with Lavett Ballard
Saturday, March 2nd, 11:00-4:00
This workshop includes a short lecture and PowerPoint presentation highlighting storytelling through mixed media collage with the use of historical imagery. Participants will learn about the discovery and use of historical images, observe a demonstration and view artwork made by the artist instructor. A hands-on session follows, covering the use of mixed media collage including examples of methods and projects.
“The Illusion of Lenticular Prints” with Diaja
Saturday, March 23rd, 11:00-4:00
Join Ceres (Diaja) in a workshop unpacking the illusion of lenticular prints. Participants will learn about the history of lenticular prints, view a few pieces from Diaja’s collection, and create their own lenticular to take home. Materials will be provided.
“Once Upon a Quilt”, with Renata Merrill
Saturday, April 6th, 11:00-4:00 WORKSHOP FULL
Learn the art of quilting by cutting, sewing, and piecing together fabrics of different sizes and shapes. This workshop will guide you through the process of starting and structuring a quilt, with practical demonstrations highlighting quilting techniques. Explore a stunning display of quilts for inspiration and engage in in-depth conversations suitable for both beginners and experienced quilters. This workshop promises to provide valuable insights and techniques to enrich your quilting journey.
EDUCATION TOUR & WEAVING ACTIVITY
Join us for a free educational tour & hands-on weaving activity for K-12, adults, and senior citizens! For more information, click here.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Margery Amdur, Professor of Art at Rutgers University-Camden, has been actively creating site-specific installations for over thirty years. Originally from Pittsburgh, she received her B.F.A. from Carnegie-Mellon University and her M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Her work has been featured and reviewed in national and international publications such as Sculpture Magazine, New American Paintings, Fiber Arts, and Creative Practices for Visual Artists. In addition to more than sixty solo exhibitions, Margery completed ten national and international projects between 2017 and 2022. Both the U.S. Embassy and the Philadelphia Convention Center recently added her work to their permanent collections.
(re)FOCUS is a Philadelphia-wide collaboration of institutions and organizations taking place from January – May 2024 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts. Held in Philadelphia the 1974 FOCUS was one of the first major exhibitions featuring American women artists. Participants include the Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA), African American Museum of Philadelphia (AAMP), Woodmere Art Museum, University of the Arts Galleries, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia Mural Arts, Rowan University Art Gallery, and others.
(re)FOCUS THEN AND NOW will mirror the original FOCUS in featuring more than 100 exhibitions, panels, lectures, films, workshops, and demonstrations devoted to women’s art and open to the public. Like the original festival (re)FOCUS will feature numerous commercial galleries and nearly all of the City’s university and college exhibition spaces. Using the 50th anniversary of the 1974 exhibition as a jumping off point to discuss representation, marginalization, social justice, violence, equality, and empowerment of women artists past and present. (Re)FOCUS Then and Now will honor that germinal moment in feminist art, and showcase today’s Philadelphia community of women artists, designers, and makers who are binary, gender nonconforming, and racially diverse.
More information on the re(FOCUS) website: http://focus2024.org