With my friend Carole Nicholas holding “Neon” by Laurie Cessay
This morning I was given the wonderful opportunity to visit the Sacred Threads Exhibit as finishing touches were added. If you are not familiar with Sacred Threads, I would guess that you’ve probably never seen anything quite like it.
“Pyrite Ammonites” by Kimberly Lacy
Back in 1999, fellow quilter, Vikki Pignatelli, gathered a small group of women to discuss their idea to present quilts with topics that you wouldn’t ordinarily see at quilt shows, giving quilters a venue to freely express themselves. Their idea was to create “a dignified exhibit of artwork that would touch all those who viewed it on both spiritual and personal levels.”
Sandy Goldman and I discuss “Winter Solstice” by Seminar staffer Ricki Selva featuring many of my fabrics.
Since 2011, we have been fortunate enough to have this exhibit here in Northern Virginia. Four former members of the Studio and Seminar staffs are on the committee and they invited me to take a sneak peek.
Members of the committee fine-tuning the exhibit.
Waiting for the final drapes and labels.
This biennial exhibit is divided into the themes of Joy, Spirituality, Inspiration, Grief, Healing and Peace/Brotherhood and does not focus on any particular religion or faith.
As I first stepped in, my eye was caught by a quilt so obviously filled with joy.
You can certainly feel the joy in “Bali Boys” by Linda Anderson.
Throughout the exhibit, the quilts told the stories and experiences of life but it was also fascinating, as a quilter, to see how these artists expressed themselves whether their work leaned towards the traditional or abstract. The workmanship of so many of these pieces amazed and impressed me.
“Florida: Black Skimmer” by Martha Wolfe
“In Honor of My Father” by Joan Bratton
There was even a special exhibit in honor of Yvonne Porcella who passed away last year. I was able to look through these quilts before they were hung and they certainly brought a smile to my face as they reminded me so of Yvonne.
Barb Hollinger & Jinny with a tribute to Yvonne Porcella by Susanne Miller Jones
Tribute to Yvonne Porcella by Lisa Ellis
The exhibit runs July 7th through July 23rd at the Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, Virginia. Visit their website, www.sacredthreadsquilts.com, for hours and directions. You’ll also find information about “Meet the Artist Weekend” including dinners and more, plus location and dates for the traveling Sacred Threads Exhibit. I encourage all who live in the area or who will be visiting during the time of the show to see the spectacular, inspirational exhibit.
“A New Dawn” by Roxanne Schwartz
“After the Rain” by Rosanne Flack Williamson
