Stephanie Metzger, Anacortes, WA

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The Gail Harker Creative Studies Center, which moved to La Conner in August to the renovated 1930’s dairy barn on Chilberg Road, will hold an open house this weekend, Sept. 17 and 18.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is a celebration of six graduating Art & Design students, who have just completed two and a half years of study, and the center’s move to La Conner.

It is the first time the general public will have a chance to see the grounds and the new classroom and art space of the landmark building, which was renovated by architect Allen Elliott in1999.

On display will be colorful multi-media artwork and sketchbooks of the six graduates as well as work from 18 other graduates.

Kim Weers, Woodinville, WA

The six graduates include Stephanie Metzger of Anacortes, Nancy Scagliotti of Bow, BJ Arnold of Olga, WA, Jarina Moss of Freeland, WA; and two Canadians, Margaret Joseph of North Vancouver and Marny Stevenson of Victoria, BC.

Center founder Gail Harker holds the equivalent of a PhD in textile and fiber art and in contemporary embroidery, also known as stitch.  More than 1,000 fabric artists, including several who went on to win national and international recognition, have studied under her.

The Gail Harker Creative Studies Center offers professional certificate and diploma programs, as well as shorter classes, in design and stitch.

Jarina Moss, Freeland WA

Anywhere from eight to 20 people take intensive, one-week courses at the center, where Harker or any of the center’s six instructors guide students through foundational studies of design, color or stitch. The certificate and diploma programs typically take two years and involve multiple one-week sessions interspersed with three months of at-home study to accommodate busy lifestyles.

The center’s shorter classes and programs include textile art, art and design, color studies, dyeing of fabrics and threads, felt and papermaking, painting fabrics, machine and hand stitch, and collage and other offerings are suitable for beginner to expert skill levels.

What: Open House and Exhibition
When: 17 & 18 September 2011 From 10 – 5 p.m.
Where: Gail Harker Creative Studies Center at 12636 Chilberg Road in La Conner