In the past, quilting has represented an archaic art form that was more for practicality than aesthetics. However, the Sacred Threads Quilt Show leaves the stigma behind as masterful fabric creations are featured throughout the Sunderland Art Gallery in Omaha. The show travels across the United States and specifically chooses quilts that are expressions of emotions. The quilts are then categorized and displayed in their respective sections.
Artistic quilting began as a way for women to better express and discuss their questions about spirituality, grief and even inspiration. The pieces often have deep, emotional stories behind them and provide insight into the human condition. As opposed to typical quilting, art quilting can take a variety of forms including sculpture and 3-D fabric creations. In 2009, Sacred Threads featured a special selection of quilts made By inmates in an Ohio prison. Sacred Threads has a history of highlighting works of art that demonstrate a personal story that has impacted a life journey.
This year, Sacred Threads is featured alongside a Midwest Fiber Art Alliance (MFAA) show. Two artists from the Creighton community, Deb Ward from Public Safety and Wendy Maliszewski from the Center for Service and Justice, are featured in the art show.
Maliszewski described how she got her start in quilting.
“I got my degree in textiles and fashion, so I have always loved fabrics and textures,” Maliszewski said.
She started at Creighton in 1996 and fell into a group of fellow quilters. From there, her new hobby took off. Spending almost 15 hours a week on her art, Maliszewski truly has a passion for quilting. In the MFAA show at Sunderland Gallery, Maliszewski’s quilt accentuates a Gerbera Daisy in memory of her mother. The panel is a set of three and is filled with color in remembrance of her mother’s love of gardening.
Deb Ward also has a piece in the show; the quilt is of Hollyhocks and was previously part of an Artistry in Nature show at the Lauritzen Gardens. She has been quilting for about 20 years and has experience with traditional and art quilting. She spent close to 50 hours on the Hollyhocks quilt, and she tries to find time when possible to work on her art.
“I find that making art quilts is very freeing and leads me into trying new techniques like painting fabrics, removing or adding color to the fabric, tearing it, stitching all over it, adding elements such as buttons to it and making it my own,” Ward said.
Sacred Threads and the MFAA highlight a hidden art form that requires skill, patience and creativity. Maliszewski and Ward illustrate this skillset and thrived here in the Creighton Community. The Sunderland Art Gallery will feature the quilts through Saturday, admission is free.