(cigar ribbon pillow cover)
In an effort to make connections in my new career path, I decided to make use of my non-thrifting time and volunteer for a museum. I went online and found the New England Quilt Museum. I've known of its existence in downtown Lowell for as long as I remember, but I had never visited. Some of my friends couldn't make the connection as to why I would be volunteering for a quilt museum. But working with the NEQM will allow me the opportunity to learn about the antique and vintage textiles used to make some of the quilts. Additionally, contemporary quilting as a fine art medium is less familiar to me than other mediums, so I'm very excited to learn more about contemporary quilt art and artitsts.
Enthralled visitor at Masters II
— NE Quilt Museum (@NEQuiltMuseum) March 6, 2013
The culmination of my experience at NEQM thus far is the new exhibition SILK!, a collection of antique & modern quilts where silk is used, either as an accent or as the principle fabric.
Here I am assessing the condition of an important Federal-era quilt:
Unpacking the quilts for SILK!
— NE Quilt Museum (@NEQuiltMuseum) April 10, 2013
After 3 days of installation work, I was very excited about "my first exhibition opening." I invited Mira to the exhibition opening, and was inspired by the theme as well as the following quilts in particular:
Baby quilt made from silk tobacco premiums
A vintage (1940s) "pinwheel" pattern
Mennonite pinwheel pattern
Mira really responded to the log cabin quilts. When you think about the meticulousness and precision of cutting, arranging, and sewing these strips of fabric, the result is nothing short of decorative masterpieces.
The Luminarium Dance Company prepared intimate dance pieces in response to some of the quilts in the show, and a special performance for the exhibition opening.