Camden, Maine, September 4, 2010 – Designing Women, a non-profit volunteer corporation that works directly with organizations that benefit women and girls in local communities, will hold its second mid-coast Maine fine arts and crafts show on Saturday, September 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Camden. This show is the group’s sole event in the mid-coast region. Some of the featured craftspeople will include Joelle Leavitt Webber of Mermaid Bindery, K. Dale Turdo, Wendilee Heath O’Brien and Mary Ann Small of Maine Island Rag Rugs. Items available for purchase will include pottery, paintings, stationary, silver jewelry, glass, porcelain and sculptures.
Designing Women was established in 1991. Its current membership of women designers and artists now exceeds 120, with most of the artists hailing from Maine and New Hampshire. In addition to providing unique, handmade creations to the public, Designing Women collaborates with non-profits to raise funds for programs that directly benefit women and girls. At the September 4 show, 100% of the suggested $2.00 door donation will go to New Hope for Women. Each donor will also be entered into a drawing to win select prizes provided by Maine businesses.
New Hope for Women, which will mark its thirtieth anniversary next year, offers assistance to all persons affected by domestic and dating violence in Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties. It provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, support groups, legal services, safe homes and transitional housing, school programs, community outreach and workplace training. New Hope also operates Time for Change, a certified batterer intervention program.
Staff and volunteers from New Hope will be serving lunch beginning at 11:00 a.m. Menu items include homemade chili and chicken salad, bagels, desserts, coffee and water. Information about New Hope’s programs and services will also be available.
Here is some additional information about the featured craftspeople mentioned above.
Joelle Leavitt Webber binds one-of-a-kind books and editions for clients, rebinds old books, and has created a line of blank books, gift boxes and albums. Her designs are based on historical models, built with traditional tools and techniques and use only archival materials.
K. Dale Turdo creates original, hand-built sculptures that are realistic in style. Turdo has received many awards and exhibits in Maine and across the country. She finds great pleasure and peace creating these beautiful works of clay and feels that sculpting is good for the soul.
Wendilee Heath O’Brien is versed in conventional painting techniques from eastern and western cultures. She transcends and manipulates these techniques to create a visual dialogue with her viewers, using watercolor, pastels and Asian ink.
Mary Ann Small is the owner of Maine Island Rag Rugs, whose rugs grace homes all over the world and provide warmth and beauty underfoot. Her rugs have been displayed at the Blaine House in Augusta, the Archipelago and the Jonathan Frost Gallery in Rockland, the Art Gallery at the University of New England’s Westbrook campus, the National Folk Festival in Bangor and most recently at the Camden Garden Club’s Showcase House rooms sponsored by Phi Home Designs.
For more information about Designing Women, check www.designingwomen.org. For more information about New Hope for Women, check www.newhopeforwomen.org.
