Bertha Jenkins

My name is Bertha Jenkins, and I am a customer of Dharma Trading Company. I began purchasing items from Dharma while in graduate school at Georgia State University in 2003 and have been hooked. I was asked to teach a 3D Non-Woven course at Georgia State this summer and decided to challenge my students to do something different for the community using silk fabric and hand/machine techniques. My students were taught how to paint on silk, use resist, and use Dye-na-flow with mixed medias. The class consisted of fourteen students from Georgia State and two from American Intercontinental University. Each student used the techniques taught to them this summer and created something quite wonderful.

"Reflections of Hope"

Friday July 18, 2008

This project was envisioned as an artistic collaboration between students of the Georgia State University Art Department and the American InterContinental University Fashion and Merchandising Department. This intent of this project was to express homage to all of the families and victims of the May 12th earthquake in China. It has been reported through the Internet that 80,000 people have been reported dead or missing. A disaster of this magnitude has evoked various emotions and concerns within the Textiles Department at Georgia State University, which we believe, will lead to a wave of critical thinking, creative thoughts and expressions on fabric.

The project reflected the artistic and creative views of each student, as well as a tool for promoting community awareness. Each student was asked to create 2 yards of silk art fabric. One yard of the students fabric expressions was sewn together to create a large hanging art piece by several of the students from the American InterContinental University. The students are hoping the piece will be hung in various locations throughout Atlanta, Georgia and eventually sent to China.

The second yard was used to create a 3D sculpture using various fabric manipulation techniques and mixed medias. Each student was encouraged to create a 3D sculpture larger than 10 inches high, while incorporating additional fabrics and textures. Each student was free to explore various mixed media techniques as taught in class, or techniques explored individually through research.

Although this was a non-woven 3D fiber art course, it is believed that "Reflections Of Hope" in a simple 2D and 3D art form evoked strong humanitarian feelings. The goal of this art piece was to show how the students used their critical thinking and technical skills to convey their thoughts on fabric, and to evoke discussions of compassion within our community.

After researching information regarding the earthquake, each student was asked to write a three page paper addressing the following questions: 1) What was their first reaction to the news? 2) Do you think earthquakes can be prevented, and if so, how? 3) How best will you express your thoughts on fabric (what is your plan from concept to reality)? 4) If you could, what would you do to assist the people of China?

- Each student explored multiple sewing and fabric manipulations and fabric sculpturing

- The unveiling of the 16'' X 16' art fabric was in Hurt Park across from Georgia State University's Art Department on Friday July 18, 2008

- The 3D sculptures were on display in the lobby of the GSU Art Gallery from 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM.