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Newsletters>
Pictograph Newsletter for April 13, 2009
April 8, 2009
Valerie Fraser
Joyous Easter everyone!
"Quilted Memories", a collaborative exhibit by many local kindhearted people has come together in the most fantastic way. The Pictograph Gallery put a call out to anyone wanting to display a beloved quilt or quilted item. The response was overwhelming. This should be no surprise, as our community just seems to have a way of embracing their own with generous support. With the attentive hands of volunteers and board members, "Quilted Memories" was coordinated with white-gloved care. Quilts of all kinds are on display from beginners first flannel quilt, to ones fashioned with the most expert of hands, to quilts dating back to 1910 & 1930s... Accompanied by a trestle Singer sewing machineso generously placed on loan, are a variety of beautiful quilts, hanging items and quilted jackets. We applaud everyone for their offerings; it makes for a very special community exhibit.
"Quilted Memories" includes a cherished family quilt dating back to 1910. A quilted blanket born of pieced woven fabric from gentlemen's suits done in the traditional Log Cabin style by the hand of Jane Windle in Wigtown, Scotland. Jane is the Mother of Ruth Pooley. The practical tactile purpose and love of the wool and tartan create this handsome quiult. So very pleased the Ruth entrusted our care of her Mothers' quilt, which is nearly 100 years old.
Another very special Log Cabin designed quilt finds its home at the Gallery this month, visiting from the home of Nancy Fotheringham. Atikokan history buffs will delight in a beautiful piece quilted by Anna Rawn; very likely in the 1940's. A group of ladies along with Anna, Pearl Goodwin, Alice Rooney would meet at 98 Clark St., to quilt on the frame built by Philip Rawn. They would use scraps of materials, redeem fabric from retired housedresses and aprons, which everyone wore then, these ladies had style, then quilt bee away, while enjoying coffee, cake, and conversation.
Some quilts, such as the hand quilted blocks on flour sacks made by my Great Grandmother Cooper during the depression era, now tucked away in my own cupboard, take some time before becoming a quilt. I will need a little help piecing my blocks together, inspried with a new appreciation to the value of the blocks. I plan to invite my own grandchildren to join me in the tradtional world of quilting with my Grandmothers Coopers' blocks, a labor of love.
An amazing labor of love took a family of joining hands 74 years to create the Old Fashioned Patchwork quilt owned by Judy Eluik. Effie Armstrong cut fabric patterns circa 1935, her Step Mother Beatrice Armstrong then made quilt blocks, and the blocks were then sewn together in 1990 and finally quilted in 1991 by Effie(Armstrong) McClendon. Quilts have the ability to bridge the generations.
These vintage quilts and more on display now at The Pictograph Art Gallery until April 25th. White gloves available for visitors, volunteers are waiting to greet you Tues. - Sat. from 12: noon until 3:00 p.m., lower level of The Voyageur Mall.
Thank you for stopping in to see our Gallery and Gift Shop.
We hope you enjoyed your visit and will return.
The Pictograph Gallery - Atikokan Ontario - 1-807-597-4344
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