The Portage Arts Group is re-imagining Hezekiah’s tunnel as a metaphor for moving from the drought of mental illness to the healing and refreshment of art and creativity. We are doing this by building an above-ground fabric tunnel surrounded by images about the shortage and then the abundance of water, just as Hezekiah safeguarded Jerusalem’s water supply by tunnelling from Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam, a place associated with healing in Jesus’ day. The images will be in drawing and painting, but the tunnel will be made of cloth sections sewn by volunteers from across Canada who love to sew. The installation and exhibition will then be toured as funding permits to churches and galleries to promote creative artistry as a therapeutic agent of healing in the Christian community.
This tunnel will be the centerpiece, surrounded by images in painting, drawing, sculpture, inkwork and photography about the dynamic element of water, in abundance or in its absence.We are inviting several groups of people to enjoy this exhibit with us:
Opening reception: Saturday, November 2, 6-9 pm. Come and meet the artists, walk the tunnel, and enjoy some beautiful artwork.
Monday nights: November 4,11,18, 7-9 pm We will hold our (Headwaters) drawing and folio classes to help high school students consider careers in art, and the folio preparation for college entrance.
Thursday night, November 21, from 7 to 9 pm. A panel discussion (Aperture) and Q&A about art and mental health with James Tughan, Amanda Leblanc and Kelvin Mutter, psychotherapist.
Saturdays 12- to 2 pm, November 9,16, 23 Childrens’ (Firefleyes) drawing class with James Tughan and Mariia Tepliakova
Group Tours: If you would like your church or school group to be given a tour of the show, please contact James at: 289 952 3669 or tughanj@gmail.com
The THIRST Portage exhibition is in the main gallery at: The Queen Elizabeth Park Cultural Center 2302 Bridge Road, Oakville ON
Gallery Open daily 12 noon to 7 pm. excepting Monday nights and the 21st,…until 9pm
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FOR ALL TUNNEL CONTRIBUTORS
Thirst Project Pattern and Instructions
Overview
This pattern assumes a basic knowledge of sewing construction and skills. This outline has been assembled to guide you as you design and build your artistic contribution. For more info contact Heidi Brannan at heidi.stonemaiden@gmail.com
Fabric
The fabric you choose could be patterned or hand painted or embellished lightly. Quilting is also an option, for those that prefer. Quilting would involve some modifications, which hare outlined in the instructions that follow. Fabric options could include light summer cottons, voile, rayon, lightweight silk, or something comparable that does not stretch. It should be able to let some light through and be easy to embellish, paint, or assemble as you like. Ties could be constructed of the same material as the tunnel, or for a simpler approach, cu from lengths of pre-made light-weight cotton webbing, or similar thin tie fabric of choice. (Consider the weight of flat cotton shoelaces as a gauge.) Fabric should be prewashed before cutting, assembling, painting, or embellishing.
Materials Needed: 1 I piece 194” long (16’) x 27” wide 2 pieces 24” wide x 14” wide 6 ties 10” long (It will be possible in many instances of 60” wide fabric to get either two whole fabric sections out of 16’ or 2 out of 8’ joined later in the middle)
Instructions
1. Cut fabric sections according to measurements.
You will notice that there are two parts to this design: the main fabric and the foot covering flaps. Since they are both simple rectangles, we have not included a pattern that is to scale. Please measure your fabric accurately according to the recommended measurements, and cut out:
● One main fabric section ● Two foot covering flaps ● Six ties of comparable lightweight tie material. Each tie should be 10” long.
● *If quilting, assemble one section according to the measurements of the main fabric section and cut one piece for a lining or backing to your quilted panel. Lining material should be white and very lightweight. Quilted section should not continue into folded sleeve section. Please keep sleeve section constructed of a single section of fabric, targeting the same finished measurements.
2. Main Fabric End Edges
● Fold and press the ends of the main fabric at ⅜”. ● Top stitch. ● Set this aside for now.
3. Foot Covering Flaps
These are separate pieces that will be attached at either end of the main fabric. The purpose of them is to discreetly cover the base structure that supports the hoop system.
● For each of the two pieces, finish the side seams with a rolled hem. Press and top stitch. There is 1” seam allowance considered for each side. Finished width should be 22”. ● At each end of both pieces, press ½” toward the inside of the fold. ● Fold at halfway point and press. ● Centre flap and pin to sewn edges of main fabric at ends. ● Top stitch flap to main fabric. ● *If quilting, flap may be stitched together at sides and secured between the main fabric and lining. Adjust measurements as necessary. ● Finished flap should be 6” from seam to fold ● Flap may be embellished to continue design of main fabric.
4. Main Fabric Sleeve
● On each side of the fabric, 2 ½” has been allotted for the construction of the sleeve pocket. Press ½” inward along both edges. ● Press inward again at 2 ½” from the outer edge, along both sides. ● At this point, measure and pin the ties onto the outer center of the pocket, at the fold you just pressed. The first set of ties should be pinned at 24” from the bottom. The second set should be pinned at 48” from the bottom, and the third set should be pinned at 72” from the bottom. This repeats on the opposite end ● Top stitch the ties securely. ● Return the pressed fold back to its proper place, pin if necessary. ● Edge stitch the inner edge of the seam at ⅛” , forming a 1 3/8” pocket. ● This sleeve will be stitched down over top of the flap attachment at the ends. (Unless quilting)
Next Steps for Each Option
Depending on your unique bright idea, what happens next will vary.
● If you are intending to paint something fantastic, you will now have a ready canvas to begin that phase of your design. ● If you have chosen a printed fabric and intend to keep it as is, you might be finished and ready to ship it to us. ● If you have ideas of other sorts of added embellishments, now is the time to add any light fabric or beaded detailing. ● If your concept has been quilted, you will have had to build your quilt first before constructing the flaps and the sleeve. You are probably done and ready to ship.
Main Panel Schematic Foot Covering Flap (shortened to fit this space) Pattern Measurements
If you would like to help us build a tunnel, follow the above instructions, roll up your section(s) and mail it in a simple mailing tube, surface with a tracking no. to:
James Tughan 2070 Oak Springs Road, Oakville, Ontario Canada, L6H 5P6
Include with your submission the following info.:
____________________________________________ Name
_____________________________________________ City, Province
______________________________________________ Church
Mailed tubes should get to the above address by September 13, BUT please be in touch with us to let us know who is working on what in advance at:
tughanj@gmail.com or heidi.stonemaiden@gmail.com
For more information, please contact us at this address.