“The Quilt as Art”

The general population tends to translate the word quilt as “bedspread.”  If you say you make art quilts they might think, “She’s mighty proud of her bedspreads!”  This is the challenge of art quilters as we try to show our work and to educate the public about what we do.

Thankfully, exhibits of art quilts (and other textiles) are now becoming more common place in art centers and museums. And some even tackle the issue head on.  Such is the case with “The Quilt as Art,” currently on display at the Peabody Auditorium’s Rose Gallery in Daytona Beach, FL.

I got to attend a reception and gallery walk there, both of which were SO interesting!  Here are a few of the stunning quilts on display.

Winter Solitude, by Becky Stack.  The photo doesn’t begin to do this piece justice.

But the detail shot is better.

All the pieces on display were made by SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) artists from the central Florida area.  A very talented group!

Jane Ashcroft’s quilt is called Different Perspective.  As you can see, it’s a close up view of forest vegetation.  Can you see the boot on the right?

Check out her 3D embellishments!

Kathryn Robinson’s quilt was the most moving in the exhibit.  It’s about her dad and it’s called Dad, Don’t Go.

Kathryn used a wide variety of media, including paper, postage stamps, and paint.  She constructed a quilt and then mounted it on birch board.

Doris Hulse imagined a setting and then filled it with beauty in Orchids in the Grotto.  (NOT a very good photo.)

She is very skilled with Inktense pencils, which is what she used to create the orchids.

The gallery walk provided a chance for each of the artists to talk about her work.   This was very interesting and the audience was extremely attentive.

Here I am talking about my piece Lava to the Sea.

A funny thing happened with the label on one of my other pieces.  Taking Flight had a label showing its title as Taking Flight, White Cows.  Well, there are no cows on it, so I had a good chuckle about the “coordinator’s mistake.”  When I gently mentioned it to her she told me I had sent her the title that way!  What?!?  What was I thinking?  I DID grow up on a dairy farm.  Did my bovine auto correct kick in?  I have no idea!  No worries though, we all had a good laugh about it.

This exhibit is up through April 30th.  If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll check it out.

Ellen Lindner
P.S.  My quilt, Carefree, is also on display in this exhibit.