JoAnne Abreu

Working out of her home studio located in Albion JoAnne Abreu continues to shape gourds into distinctive art pieces.  This show marks her fifth at The Dolphin dating back to 2004.  Over the years her interest has shifted to working with embellished gourds, but her earlier experiences with basketry especially coiling continues to influence her creations.

Abreu says, “I have had a lifelong fascination with shapes and textures found in nature.  I discovered hard-shell gourds in 1996.  I’ve been working with them ever since.”  Each piece begins with a study of the natural contours of a gourd, which she calls a wonderful gift of nature.  By adding coils of waxed threads, beads, leather dyes, and colored papers, the gourd evolves into an artistic statement.

Her gourds have a rich texture with vibrant earth tones and graceful addition that accent the natural shape of each gourd.  The final protective coating adds richness to the piece.  For Abreu the entire process is a fascinating experience that is never repetitive and always leads to new insights that she finds personally gratifying. 

Barbara Dunsmoor

Over forty years ago Barbara Dunsmoor began quilting as an avocational creative outlet while she was busy raising a family.  Like the traditional craft itself, her work has evolved from a practical pastime into an art form.  Dunsmoor’s work has a magical quality that may suggest anything from the abstract patterns of Miro to the domestic serenity of Mary Cassatt.

Chronicling her evolution as a quilter Dunsmoor says, “I began as a very traditional quilter.  I followed traditional patterns and primarily made bed quilts. My journey as a quilter mirrors the development of quilting from a practical craft to a recognized art from.”  Although her pieces retain the traditional three layers of fabric sewn together that define a quilt, that’s where the process changes.

“The fabric I use can be cotton, silk velvet or even burlap.  I embellish my quilts with anything from sparkling crystal beads to chicken wire.  I often paint my fabrics and have been known to use combs, toothbrushes, or even sharpened sticks to obtain the desired texture.”