The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum will be showcasing the textile work of Astoria, Oregon quilt artist Constance Waisanen. Waisanen documents the process of loss and recovery in her first exhibit at the History Center. The show will features nine selections varying in sizes, color, and emotion.

Grief is an emotion we all experience at one point or another in our lives. We grieve the loss of jobs, people and pets, youth, health, and the shifting shape of relationships. Several years ago Waisanen embarked on a journey, through the valley of the shadow of death. She was mystified by the sudden burst of creativity that came from her loss.

There have been many mysteries during this time, not the least of which was the incredible creative energy that bubbled to the surface as a healing balm. Each of these pieces represents an aspect I was processing. The ideas came to me in the half-light of that curious dreamy place between sleep and waking. Each idea was birthed whole cloth, with very little in process editing.

The pieces are accompanied by an original poem that was either inspired by or inspired her fiber art. Each piece is unique and carries you along the path of grief, from one emotion to another. Some of her work is bright and full of life, while other pieces invoke trudging through the darkness, with just a glimmer of light ahead.

Waisanen is a creative and innovative quilter. She transfers original drawings to freezer paper templates, which are used to cut precise individual pieces. Her selection of fabric ranges from commercial batiks, to conversation prints, to fabric that she has hand dyed or painted. Each piece is marked and meticulously sewn together by machine. The topstitching is done free motion on a standard sewing machine, using the needle like a pencil to draw on the surface of the fabric with thread, the images evolving as I sew.

Come see and experience this emotive and engaging exhibit January through March 2013.

Join the History Center for the opening of this exhibit on Saturday, January 26th from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Meet the quilt artist Constance Waisanen and hear music provided by local musician, Brian Johnstone. Johnstone is an accomplished jazz and flamenco guitarist. Refreshments will be available.

For more information visit www.cbhistory.org or call 503.436.9301