It is exciting to know that my curated exhibit “For the Love of Gaia” has opened (as of yesterday) at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. However I don’t think any of you will be going to see it this weekend, as they are having a historic blizzard there today! However storms pass, and the quilts (and their message about Mother Earth) from 15 artists around the world, will be there when you can visit on a day that is not quite so blustery.
My inbox has been full of emails announcing that Chinese New Year is coming up, and it is the year of the TIGER. (We celebrate CNY because our daughter was adopted from China, and I used to live in Hong Kong.) There seems to be a renewed interest in Tigers, so we have stocked up on Tiger-related fabrics. I don’t know if this heightened interest is residual from the Tiger King TV show, but if that is the case, I need to let you know that most of the tigers that were rescued from those terrible conditions, ended up at the Wild Animal Sanctuary which is about one hour East of Boulder in Keenesburg CO. They are currently caring for over 650 Lions, Tigers, Bears and Wolves who were all rescued from horrific captive situations.
I have become friends with the WAS founder Pat Craig over the years, and I am in awe of what Pat and his team have accomplished over the decades. Another artist friend and I came up with a fundraiser idea for them several years ago, that resulted in an event that raised $100K in one night. So you could say, I am an active fan and supporter! The Bobcat/Arches National Park quilt I made (that traveled in the National Parks exhibit for years) was based on a photo of a bobcat that lives at WAS, and when it sells it will benefit them as well.
Perhaps you have also discovered that being a quilter and/or artist can be a way to support local non-profits. My painted bear will be auctioned off in April to raise money for the Boulder Chautauqua, and my Rocky Mountain Poison quilt raised $4K for Earthworks before it was acquired by IQM in Lincoln NE. (It is on exhibit in the Gaia exhibit, one last time, before it goes home to the museum.) My photos from several trips to Cuba, will be part of a fundraiser for the Boulder Philharmonic this spring.
How can your quilts or textile art benefit your favorite non-profits in your community? You may be surprised! Often our artwork and quilts can raise more money than we might donate out of our pockets.
Our humble thanks to those of you who have dropped off comfort quilts, or who are working on quilts to donate to the families who have lost their homes in our tragic #Marshall Fire. You can find more info here if you wish to participate.
…sharing your love of fabric,
Luana and Paul
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Quilt/Travel Calendar:
Jan 28 – Apr 9, 2022 – New England Quilt Museum (NEQM) “For the Love of Gaia” exhibit
Feb 16-19 – QuiltCon – Phoenix Arizona
Sat, April 9 – “International Quilt Trends” lecture – NEQM Closing Reception
October 2022 – Luana’s Polar Bear Tour – Churchill Manitoba Canada
