2014 NICHE AWARD FINALIST

                  2014 NICHE Award Finalist in the Art Quilt Category!

I received news today that my fiber artwork "Pescadero" was selected as a finalist in the Art Quilt Category!  Great day, the awards are the highest standard of fine art crafts in North America. The artwork is currently being exhibited at the Polk State Arts Center, Lake Wales, Florida thru October 24. 2013.

Polk State College Lake Wales Arts Center

Through my fiber art series "Swimming Upstream" I was able to fall head long into the world of championing the rights of individuals disabled on the job but it has sent me on a journey of self exploration!

My thirteen piece exhibit Swimming Upstream" (and growing) will be exhibited at the Polk State College Lake Wales Art Center. October 7-24.  The artist opening is October 10, 2013, 5-7pm.

I will be giving a gallery talk about the series and also twelve pieces of my California Series that will also be in the exhibit.

Please try and attend if you can as this is also the first exhibit in the renovated art center.  This is a big night for all! bjs8934@gmail.com.

 Any questions just email me at bjs8934@gmail.com

                                                        "Stories We Tell"     

Women's Caucus for Art's exhibit "Stories We Tell", my art work "Swimming Upstream" was selected to be in the catalog for this exhibit.  The Phoenix Gallery, New York, NY, September 7, 2013 5-7 PM is the opening.

UniteWomen.org

My artwork "Suffragettes" was juried into UniteWomen.org's exhibit "Women's Rights: An Artist's Perspective".  The artwork can be purchased by clicking on the link below.

http://www.entrythingy.com/www.unitewomen_gallery.org#BonnieJ.Smith

I created this artwork after a lot of research on specific women, Harriett Tubman, Cady Stanton and Myrna Loy.  Myrna Loy was the women I knew absolutely nothing about and was surprised to learn what a prolific feminist writer she was of her day! Then while visiting the L. A. County Museum one day I looked up and hanging on the wall was one of the very few art pieces she ever created.  Made me proud! First, that I had found her on my own through research and secondly to see her artwork hanging in such a wonderful and important museum.

Voters Injured At Work Invites you to honor me, Bonnie J. Smith!

It is wonderful that my artwork "Swimming Upstream" was noticed by Hans Johnson and he nominated me to be honored for my leadership in helping others "swim upstream" after a workman's comp. injury!  Thanks Hans!

www.viaw.org

"Blue Flow"

40h x 30w - Blue Flow - Textile

 

"Blue Flow" will be exhibited at The Coastal Art League & Museum April 5 - May 6, 2013. The thought process behind this art work is watching the Pacific Ocean ebb and flow.
The Museum is located at 300 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, Ca.  Opening reception is April 13, 2913 - 5-7 pm.  The title of the exhibit is "Color" which I think my choice was perfect for the exhibit.

Also, I will be curating this exhibit with Marian Yap of Women's Caucus for Art.

Featured Show:
"WHAT I SEE AND KNOW"

"Bonnie J." 40h x 30w, part of her family series!

The Loft Gallery has been a part of the San Pedro art community for over fifteen years and is known for welcoming new artists to exhibit in their studios each month. In March, "What I See and Know," a solo exhibit by Bonnie J. Smith will be on display. Bonnie has made a name for herself in the world of abstract and fiber arts. Bruce Hoffman, formerly Director of the Snyderman Works Gallery located in Philadelphia describes Smith's work as "simple, powerful, successful: design and craftsmanship working together." Bonnie is now a 2013 finalist for the NICHE Award, this award celebrates innovative artists in fine craft. "What I See and Know" will highlight Bonnie's abstract artworks which make use of dynamic colors expressing her views of the world. Bonnie says she is "in love with texture and creating fiber art that flows" which the eye to appreciate her use of color and design, aspects that are all sure to incorporated in this month's exhibit. "What I See and Know" will be on display at The Loft Gallery March 7-31, 2013. Opening exhibit will be on First Thursday from 6-9pm. All other times of viewing upon appointment.

Fiber Art Installation - Thoughts of The Mind

My fiber art installation will be exhibited at the Foundry Art Centre in the Ameristar Gallery! The installation deals with the discrimination I lived with as a child growing up in a very small town and being a member of the lesser accepted church congregation.

The exhibit will be from February 8 - March 22, 2013. The Foundry Art Centre is located at 520 North Main Center, Saint Charles, Missouri.  This is very exciting for me to get this installation out into the world.

Ms. November for Women's Caucus For Art

        I received notification last night that I will represent Women's Caucus For Art the month of November 2013 as Artist of The Month!  This is a wonderful honor to represent this fabulous organization.  What makes it so fulfilling is the jurying is done 100% blind.  Later I will post the images that I will submit for November.

What a Holiday Present!

2013 NICHE Awards

Finally the information comes and I know what work was selected for the  2013 NICHE Award, it is "Swimming Upstream"! I love the work and am so happy it was selected!

You can listen to my story and how the series "Swimming Upstream" came to be on Art & Soul Radio.  I was interviewed by the fabulous Lesley Riley, please listen!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/art-and-soul-radio/2012/11/20/bonnie-j-smith--having-an-art-attitude

The jurors for the 2013 NICHE Awards this year are Lisa Bayne, CEO of Artful Home & The Guild; Joanne & Peter Hildt owners of Pinnacle Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ. and nine times winner of Top Retailer Award; Marlene Richey, teacher at Fashion Institute of Technology; Betty Talbott, Director, Ohio Craft Museum; Lesley Grow-Winfisky & Jonathan Winfisky owners of Grow Gallery, need I say more what a wonderful group of jurors this year! 
Having been a NICHE Award winner in 2009, I am telling you it is thrilling to be recognized for excellence in fiber art. You might remember in 2009 I said "The NICHE Awards are the Academy Awards for artist and I am standing by that quote today!