Tonight I’d like to feature an artwork from QuiltCon that was made by a group of students at the Marylhurst School in Portland Oregon. It won a 1st Place ribbon in the Youth category, and their teacher Jessica Bernert deserves recognition as well.
Many years ago when I attended Quilt Canada in Ottawa, I heard a Land Acknowledgement statement for the first time. It was a statement of the indigenous peoples who had lived on that land originally. It was a very powerful experience to hear those words spoken and contemplate what it meant. We have the same issue here in Colorado. You can read about what happened at Sand Creek to learn more. Search for ‘land acknowledgement’ and your state, to learn about the original inhabitants of the place you live.
This 2nd and 3rd grade class (collectively known as the Meadowlarks) studied the indigenous people of North America, and then made this Map Quilt. They committed to give any prize money won, to the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde, as it is their land where the school is located. What a powerful lesson for this group of young people.
As you know, quilts can tell powerful stories. Kids are often fearless about telling these stories with their art. (The emperor has no clothes….) But guess what? More and more adults are choosing to tell stories with their quilts. Sometimes the image says what cannot be said with words. I know that this quilt spoke to many of the viewers at QuiltCon, and I thank Ms. Bernert and her class for sharing their message with us.
The title the kids chose:
This Land (Is Not) Our Land
You can see this quilt and its artist statement, and other quilts from QuiltCon, on my photo pages.
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Luana and Paul
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Travel/Quilt Dates:
March 13-16 – Washington DC
April 7-12 – Allegre Retreat
May 1-7 – London UK
