Culture & Community | Guilford | Arts & Culture | Youth Arts Journalism Initiative | Quilting
Kate Themel's quilt Charybdis. Ruby Szekeres Photos.
The mesmerizing vortex of Charybdis’ maw looks ready to swallow the whole room.
Broken planks from ships swirl through the waves, chewed and spit out into the dark sea. White foam splashes through the center, turning into a fine white spray at the edges. Still, the monster’s hunger goes unsatisfied.
Charybdis—a fearsome character is Homer’s Odyssey—has come to life at the Guilford Art Center, where the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA-CT) have mounted “Circular Thinking,” a touring exhibition of quilts that runs through Feb. 28 at the GAC’s Church Street building. The work, by the artist Kate Themel, is one of 36 pieces on display.
The show is curated by Betty Busby, an international fiber artist and juror who reviewed over 70 entries for the show. This is the first stop for Circular Thinking as it makes its way across the state.
“Guilford Art Center is delighted to present this exhibition celebrating the creativity of these fiber artists,” said GAC Executive Director Maureen Belden in a statement about the show. “We are all part of an interconnected circle, as this show highlights, inspiring and encouraging creative engagement from local and regional artists.”
While many of the show’s artists stick to the traditional idea of a quilt, some of the entries are more abstract, and as delightful as they are surprising. Prior to the show, Lynne Allen and her daughter, Cassandra Allen, combined Lynne’s vision with fabric and Cassandra’s skills in sculpting and modeling. “Endless Conflict” is all about resolving the discord they (and we) have started.
As they paused to sign copies of the show’s catalog at a recent opening reception, both Allens said they were honored to show their work among the rest of the pieces.
In a different corner of the gallery, Hope Barton used Australian fabric to fashion together intricate quilted viruses in her piece Why We Need Vaccines. She created this battlefield of germs, she said, because of her concern as a former nurse practitioner and growing unease with the distrust of science and public health, particularly when she’s witnessed so many exciting medical advancements during her lifetime.
"When I grew up, people around me got polio and it was terrifying,” she said. Barton believes that message is particularly important in times like now.
Barton’s quilt focuses on the world of viruses, but other artists incorporate the sun, earth and other astronomical objects.
Kate Stiassni’s Vortex shows a shattered circle that has been resurrected into something new. “I’m a firm believer that every cut, line and stitched seam leads somewhere, so I try to remain open to the process, to change and variation, and to exploring both traditional and modern techniques,” reads an accompanying artist statement.
This show first came into being two years ago, and has been building since. At an opening reception last Sunday, SAQA-CT member Sally Rogers recalled some of the brainstorming ideas for Circular Thinking’s infant stages.
“This was really a show for the abstract artists,” she said. “You see, they wanted a turn to show their work, so we came together with this [idea] for representational art and abstract.”
She and a colleague and fellow curator, Carol Vinick, added that they were surprised by how many of the quilts feature beading, embroidery and other handwork “Now, people use machines for the actual quilting, but seeing them do this brings back that handmade feeling to it,” Vinick said.
Normal people and art enthusiasts agree. John Smith, a lover of the arts and a frequent visitor to the exhibitions at GAC, read about the show in his local paper. Right then and there, he knew he had to see it. Since purchasing a couple pieces of fiber art, he has been intrigued by them and has made a point to talk to the artists. This time around, he said that piece he was most drawn to was Charybdis.
Another visitor who was determined to be there was Diane Wright, who knew about the show as a SAQA member. In honor of the show, she wore a handmade scarf that resembled a chain of a larger version of the fiber loops you would find in a craft store for making potholders. Wright also is a quilter and like many other artists, found that being there was inspiring to her own art.
“I thought this was a very interesting collection and as different as they are, they meld together,” she said.
A Guilford resident, Wright wasn’t burdened with a long journey, but that didn’t make getting through the snow any easier, she said. Both the parking lot of GAC and surrounding buildings were packed and there was a steady stream coming to the gallery.
After everyone was able to get something to eat and wander around, it was time for a picture with all of the present artists.
“Come gather! Come gather,” Rogers sang. “All artists stand over there.” Moments later, the 12 artists who had come, joined together as the quilt-loving family they were.
This article comes from a graduate of the 2024 Cohort of the Youth Arts Journalism Initiative. Ruby Szekeres is a junior at Oak Meadow School. Local Color 7: Circular Thinking runs through Feb. 28 at the Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St. in Guilford. For more information on their exhibitions and programming, click here.