Hello from Athens Ohio, where Quilt National has just opened up at the Dairy Arts Center. This prestigious and very competitive art quilt exhibit never fails to impress and delight. I can see all the pent-up creativity from the pandemic, being expressed in this group of stunning quilts. eQuilter is a sponsor, and this afternoon I gave a talk on “Art and Activism” as a fundraiser for the organization. We recorded the talk so if we were successful, I’ll have a link to the talk available for all of you in about a week.
I know 2 of the 3 jurors this year – Irene Roderick and Dr Carolyn Mazloomi. I got to chat with Irene over lunch today which was great because we know of each other, and we know all the same people, but we’ve never been able to sit down and visit. I said “Irene, It seems like you came out of nowhere, but I know that can’t be true … what’s your story?” She laughed and said it was indeed true – she started quilting in 2016! She was encouraged by Kathy York to enter her work in shows. She not only was juried in – she won awards! We carry Irene’s book and it is one of my favorites.
Mary Mattimoe won Best of Show here, with her quilt “Not Enough Time” which is about the loss of 2 co-workers to gun violence. She came and spoke to me last night at the Artist Dinner, and said she is a longtime eQuilter customer! Please Note: We will be carrying the Quilt National catalog book as soon as possible – in the next month but hopefully sooner!
We hope you are having a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. We pause to remember those we have lost, not only veterans, but also those we have lost over the pandemic, and I am also thinking of those lost in the Ukraine war. It gives me comfort to know that through the eQuilter charity program, we are sending money to help those affected by the war. Mission of Love has been sending containers with food, medical supplies and your donated quilts to Poland. In collaboration with local authorities, emergency teams from Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are at the scene of the missile attacks in Ukraine, providing medical consultations, psychological first aid, and essential relief items to those affected.
I’ve been in contact with Diane Bonnet in Uvalde this last week (the one year anniversary of the school shooting) and they have received thousands of quilts for the community. For those of you who sent
I’ve been in contact with Diane Bonnet in Uvalde this last week (the one year anniversary of the school shooting) and they have received thousands of quilts for the community. For those of you who sent quilts, she sends her deepest gratitude.
Together we remember those lost, and we take action on their behalf, and to honor their memory.
We wish you a peaceful and creative holiday weekend.
sharing your love for fabric,
Luana and Paul
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See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, comment on our blog, or follow us on Facebook.
Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.
Travel/Quilt Calendar:
June 6-11 – Quilt Canada – Halifax, Nova Scotia
July 4-12 – Helsinki & Savonlinna, Finland
August 18-24 – Bear Camp – Homer Alaska
Sept 28-30 – AQSG Seminar – Louisville, KY
