Sacred Thread Exhibit

"A New Beginning"

I found out yesterday via email that my quilt "A New Beginning" had been juried into the 2011 Sacred Thread's Exhibit in Hemdon, VA. The show opens June 22 and closes July 4, 20ll. An opening to meet the artist will be held June 25 from 2-5. To learn more about the exhibit go to http://sacredthreadquilts.com/

I first heard about the Sacred Threads Exhibit several years ago and found it to be a very inspirational exhibit. It is only held every two years. The quilt I chose to enter is one of my older pieces but one that I felt should be in this exhibit.

Several years ago a friend of mine, Claude Smith, died of cancer. He was a member of our Focus Art Group. Claude had already fought cancer once only to have a different type attack him years later. During his many hospitalization Claude filled his sketch book with designs that he wished to make some day.

That some day never came for Claude. After Claude's passing, I approached his wife Carol and asked if she would permit our Focus group to choose a design out of Claude's book. We each wanted to take his design and portray it in our own fashion. Carol agreed and we were able to have this exhibit in the Spartanburg SC Art Museum.

During my time working on this piece I felt Claude's presence in my studio. I can't remember a time before or since when every fabric I pulled from my stash worked. Every design I chose for the quilting worked. I found myself talking to Claude as if he were with me.

When I saw the entry ad for Sacred Thread I knew that I wanted to enter this piece in the exhibit. I'm so glad that Claude's design will be seen by so many people.

My good friend Judy Hayward also has a wonderful piece in this exhibit. "Imagine" You can see it on her blog www.judithhayward.blogspot.com