Lectures and Workshops Priscilla Bianchi represents a unique personality in today's Quilting World. She was born and raised in Guatemala , Central America , where she still resides today. While being a seamstress and home sewer for over 40 years, she experimented with various artistic mediums. Nine years ago she realized that Art Quilting brought together everything she loved. Her one-of-a-kind art quilts have a character that is unique in the world, as she incorporates the richness and ethnic beauty of her native Guatemalan hand-woven textiles, colors, patterns, symbolisms, and Mayan culture with American quilting techniques and designs, creating pieces that are fresh, vibrant and innovative. Priscilla exhibits her work internationally, and is the only Central American contemporary fiberarts artist represented in the Permanent Collection of The Museum of Art & Design in New York City, NY (former American Craft Museum). An experienced teacher, before quilting became her life's passion, she taught school children for 13 years in Guatemala. Later, due to her degree in Industrial Psychology, she spent 14 years as a Human Resources Consultant, training Managers and employees from many different companies in Central America and the Caribbean. She specialized in topics such as Communication, Motivation, Leadership, Human Relations, among others. Eight years ago she retired from it all, to dedicate herself full-time to quilt making. Nowadays she travels all over the U.S. and the world to exhibit, teach and lecture about her career and experiences as a Quilt Artist, Designer, Teacher and Book Author. She's sure to inspire and motivate quilters, non-quilters and artists alike with her passion and enthusiasm for her work. Priscilla teaches at the following venues: •  12 th & 13 th European Patchwork Meeting, Ste. Marie aux Mines, Alsace, France – Sept. 2006 & 2007 •  Quilter's Affair 2007, Sisters, OR – July, 2007 •  CraftSummer 2006, 2007 & 2008 at Miami University, Oxford, OH •  New Zealand Quilt Symposium, Palmerston North, New Zealand – Jan, 2007 •  World Quilt & Textile Show: On Tour, Columbus, OH, Manchester, NH & Schaumburg, IL – Aug, 2005 and Aug & Nov, 2006 •  Australasian Quilt Convention, Melbourne, Australia – Jan, 2006 •  Pacific International Quilt Festival, PIQF, Santa Clara, CA – Oct, 2004 & Oct, 2005 •  National Quilting Association (NQA) 36th Annual Show, Columbus, OH - June, 2005 •  Empty Spools Seminars at Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, CA – 2004 & 2005 •  South African National Quilt Festival 2004, Durban, South Africa – July & Aug, 2004 LECTURES #1. HOW I FINALLY HAD THE GUTS TO GO AHEAD AND "JUST QUILT IT!” This inspirational slide lecture will appeal to Quilters and non-quilters alike. In it she tells her amazing story as a quiltmaker. What motivated her to start quilting and how she was hooked, the difficulties and obstacles she's had to overcome, living in a country without any quilting tradition, community or resources. Her message is simple: if, against all odds, she was able to achieve what she has….. anyone can do it! The slides show her sources of inspiration: the Guatemalan textiles and culture that influence her to create unique Art Quilts, as well as an overview of her body of work of over 80 pieces! #2. HOW TO MARKET YOUR OWN WORK Priscilla exhibited her work for the first time in Guatemala , on March, 1999. Three years later, almost to the day, her work was in New York City , as part of the American Craft Museum 's Permanent Collection, being showcased as “one of the best in contemporary art quilting around the world”. With humor, lots of insight and practical tips, she reveals her step-by-step plan to success. #3. UNEXPECTED INSPIRATION...!              NEW! I'm frequently asked where does my inspiration come from? Throughout my teaching travels around the world, I've come across many unexpected design ideas that spark my creativity and make my fingers tingle!... Developing your own personal style is a never-ending learning process that evolves throughout your life, transforming your quilts in the process . Your art will constantly change and develop as you practice, experiment, and undergo new life experiences. Priscilla will explain how the creative process works, and offer tips and practical advice on how to get inspiration from the world around us. She'll illustrate her presentation with images of her own work and make the connection with what has inspired her. Many images of "unexpected" inspiration throughout... This is an eye-opening lecture for anyone who wants to expand his/her creativity and further develop as an artist. The audience usually has many questions that Priscilla is happy to address. WORKSHOPS #1. "THE FABRIC MADE ME DO IT! Beyond Traditional: Art Quilting" Confident Beginner to Advanced Priscilla presents a repertoire of innovative, time-saving tips and accurate techniques, as well as principles of DESIGN, that let students enjoy the process while creating beautiful results! Students will work with Priscilla to create an art quilt using the richness and ethnic appeal of Guatemalan fabrics, mixed-and-matched with African, Indonesian, hand-dyed, etc. They will have the opportunity to witness first hand the design and decision-making process she uses to create her original art quilts, starting with her sources of inspiration all the way to the finished quilt. Every step will be illustrated. Broaden your knowledge of Composition, Color, Value, Texture, and put into practice principles of Design like Balance, Movement, and Unity. Be inspired to create designs of your own. Priscilla will assist students in creating compositions or concepts they would like to experiment with. You will learn to: Listen" to what the fabric is telling you Be daring with the use of color Take risks and experiment with the multitude of different fabrics and textures Create a fabric collage Build confidence to go beyond traditional... what's the worst that could happen? Class Supply List #2. "THE STRIPE REVOLUTION!" Confident Beginner to Advanced Priscilla uses up to 90% of Guatemalan striped fabric in her own work. When she learned that quilters don't particularly like or use stripes, it was too much of a challenge to pass by! She presents a fun approach to the subject, demonstrating many different, simple and surprising ways in which stripes can be used most effectively in quilts. You'll discover exciting facts... You do like stripes after all! The high visual impact and movement that stripes can create How perfection can be your worst enemy How to interpret and use other directional prints Her basic design process will be covered. Broaden your knowledge of Color, Value, Texture and put into practice principles of Design. Be inspired to create designs of your own. We'll focus on hands-on exercises and experimentation with many options to choose from. Class Supply List #3. "ETHNIC WAVES: Art Quilting & Design Improvisational Techniques" Confident Beginner to Advanced This workshop is designed to introduce students to elements of design and techniques of art quilting. They will be encouraged to experiment and stretch out of their comfort zones to create an original, innovative wall hanging. We'll use assorted scraps to create soft, curvaceous forms over a hand-dyed background. The kit of assorted hand-woven Guatemalan textiles (provided in class), is the basis to create a strikingly attractive design with movement, color and rhythm! Students will learn “hands-on”: To plan their design from scratch and draw a master pattern if necessary How color & fabric choices determine the mood of the design How to reflect your own personality into your work of art To use liberating techniques like free-form rotary cutting, “flip & sew” paper-piecing, appliqué by machine, sewing soft curves To mix-and-match hand-woven, hand-dyed textiles with commercial cottons, to create a one-of-a-kind look, that can be ethnic or contemporary! Design principles like Color, Balance, Movement and Unity will be discussed Class Supply List #4. "MAYAN SAMPLER" 1-Day Confident Beginner to Advanced Students will create an unusual charm quilt, using the "tumbler" shape. The Guatemalan fabrics give this design a rich, ethnic, textural feel with high visual impact! It is truly a beautiful multi-colored quilt! With Priscilla's "hands-on" approach to teaching, students will learn: How to handle different types and thicknesses of fabric How to mix-and-match hand-woven, ethnic textiles with commercial cottons, to create a unique, one-of-a-kind look Basic design principles like Color, Value, and Balance. will be discussed I will provide a kit of at least 20 different Guatemalan textiles, to create a stunningly rich, textural, multi-color wall hanging, with an Ethnic flair! You’ll be amazed at what you’re able to accomplish! Students will gain confidence and be inspired to continue along their quiltmaking path, with a thirst for knowledge and experimentation. Class Supply List All Workshops Include: A variety of hands-on exercises geared to unleash the creative spirit of students An inspiring trunk show of Priscilla's wonderful Art Quilts, Guatemalan textiles, and Mayan custumes Please Note: Priscilla will bring additional precious Guatemalan textiles for students to purchase and use during class. Washing & Care instructions will be provided. Duration of Workshops: As a one-day class, it begins as a paper and pencil design class. We'll discuss fabric choices at length and probably start cutting. Sewing machines may or may not be required. As multiple-day classes, students continue to work with fabric, and depending on the length of the class, begin to produce a quilt or wallhanging of their own design Lists of supplies will be given out in both cases. 1 Day/6-Hour Workshop: US $700 (tax free), plus Travel Expenses Priscilla's Teaching Style: Her classes are process-oriented, filled with relevant information, practical tips and personal insight. Hands-on experience is the way for students to learn. She is a motivational, inspiring teacher, that makes classes fun with her humorous, down-to-earth approach to quilting. Her attitude towards students is positive and supportive. She believes in the creativity and empowerment each person possesses, and encourages students to be themselves, to be curious, to dare to experiment. Copyright 2001-2007, All Rights Reserved