Creston: Arts Depot Gallery is proud to welcome Wendy Sticken as the artist for July. Owner of Shear Magic Styling Salon in Creston, Sticken is also an artist with fabric. She has been quilting for many years and has a wide range from traditional quilts for a bed to art quilts that hang on the wall. All types will be hanging on the walls of the Depot Gallery in July.
Join us at an artist’s reception from 6 to 8 p.m. July 7, the first Friday of the month. Light refreshments will be served and it is a great chance to meet the artist. The Depot Gallery will also be open on the Fourth of July before, during and after the parade, so come in and take a look at some local art treasures.
Creston: Arts Depot Gallery is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or by appointment.
Here is an artist statement by Wendy Sticken:
I was born and raised in Creston. I own Shear Magic Styling Salon. I have been a cosmetologist for 28 years.
I became interested in sewing in school. My home economics teacher in junior high was Donita Lynch and in high school it was Lois Houghtaling. They were instrumental in my learning to sew. I learned a lot and they were a big influence on continuing my passion for sewing. My gift from my mom for my high school graduation was a new sewing machine. I was interested in quilting so I started looking at magazines with quilt patterns. I made that first quilt using cardboard templates and scissors to cut it out. I then started talking to Joyce Franklin and asked lots of questions. I learned about rotary cutters and mats. I’ve taken a lot of classes over the years and taught a few also.
I entered the Moda Challenge contest in 2005. My quilt won an honorable mention. They had three winners and 20 honorable mentions. The Kansas City Star Books published a book called Patterns of History, The Challenge Winners. The book had the instructions on how to make these 23 quilts. My quilt is titled “Spring in Bloom.”
I entered the Hoffman Challenge in 2013. My quilt, “Mariner’s Compass,” was not chosen as a winner, but was picked to go on their traveling tour for one year to different states for shows.
I have made quilts for fundraisers and donations. I’m a member of Patches and Pieces Quilt Guild and a small group of friends. I have been involved with both groups for making quilts for fundraisers or donations. Some of the donations have gone to the hospice home. I most recently donated a quilt I made to the hospice home in memory of Barb Kuyper, a dear friend and fellow quilter.
My quilts started out very traditional, but now I like more modern quilts. I love miniature quilts. There is always something more to learn. I’m enjoying the new owner Sarah Brown of Quilts and Other Notions and her modern take on quilting.
I participate in some of the retreats at the Creative Center. It is great fun socializing with friends, learning new techniques from each other, laughing a lot and making lots of cool quilts.
Sewing and quilting is definitely relaxing and a wonderful therapy for me. I can lose all track of time when in my sewing room. It gives me lots of pleasure giving them to family and friends. I hope you appreciate, enjoy and are inspired by my quilts.