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Personal Connections
Quilting a Future: Contemporary Quilts and American Tradition
ON VIEW SEPTEMBER 9, 2023–FEBRUARY 4, 2024
As part of Quilting a Future we asked visitors to share personal stories:
I grew up with generations of strong, courageous
With splashes of colors…to reveal
my memories appearing in my quilts. It is slow, a
women. They often created beauty from fiber. My mother
repetitive process that soothes my soul and spirit. I studied Women’s studies, fiber restorations and Art at Ohio State University. My stitching… my hand work…has helped me travel around the world to discover cultures and civilizations I had only dreamed about in my youth. Now in my 70’s…I am making adjustments in my technique…macular degeneration is slowly altering my vision…living with lupus…but slowly I continue my work as an artist. In the last couple of years I have allowed myself to explore mixed media explorations. My heart remains dedicated
taught me to make my own clothes at an early age…I felt a sense of pride and empowerment when I made my own wedding dress. My grandmother was able to crochet anything. I shared in a photograph from a magazine. Yes this is often dismissed as “women’s work” and unappreciated. I can tell the story behind each stitch…each design…the gift in cloth these women graced with me. This is an early important lesson of living with intention and celebrating and living in the present moment.
I create my sacred marks with needle and thread. It is my meditation…my journey through the decades…my prayers for creating a community in love and peace. I often write…in a multitude of journals.
to working with my hands holding a needle and thread…telling my story with my quilts.”
—Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
Impact Report FY24
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