from the Oct 1 eQuilter newsletter: (last Tuesday)
I am writing to you from the Rome Fiumicino Airport in Italy, before I board my plane to fly home Tuesday. I've taken lots of photos, and I will be sharing them with you once I get home and the dust settles. My 5 days in Venice was filled with textile research, and even a sighting of the George Clooney wedding party! My 3 days in Rome culminated in the reception for the quilt art reception at the US Embassy, hosted by David Lane?the US ambassador to the UN. eQuilter was invited to be a sponsor of this event, along with Aurifil Threads, an Italian thread manufacturer.
During the opening reception, I was drawn to a beautiful African woman who was wearing the most gorgeous African floral gown, with a Kente cloth sash over her shoulder. She turned out to be the Ghana ambassador to Italy! I also met the Canadian ambassador and had a conversation about all the packages we ship to Canada.
Pam Holland and I have spent the last 2 days tromping all over Rome, covering about 8 miles a day on foot and visiting obscure Villas and art museums. Pam was one of the artists who met the challenge and created a quilt on the topic of World Hunger. Her quilt included a portrait of a man we photographed in India last September. It was wonderful to see that image come full circle, to be shared in a exhibition intended to raise awareness of the issues of World Hunger around the globe. I also met the German man who founded the Chicken Project (somewhat similar to the Heifer Project) and who lived in Afghanistan for 7 years, running the Chicken Project in that country.
Many thanks to Susan Fiorentino for inviting us to be a part of this event at the embassy again. The exhibit will be showing in 2 or 3 public venues, and we will share that information as soon as the dates are firm. It was exciting to learn that many of the artists bought their fabric from eQuilter, and in particular Elinor bought all of her fruit and vegetable prints from us, for her entry into this exhibit.
My takeaway from this experience is this – when you have an opportunity to participate in a quilt challenge – take the challenge! An invitation was given to 200 quilt artists, but only 10 responded. Their works will now tour very special venues in Europe, raising awareness for such an important cause. And now? back to our studios and back to work!
Share Post:
