A Tribute to Virginia Avery (and an e-burst from Quilt Alliance)

I am shamelessly cut/pasting a portion of an e-blast from the Quilt Alliance. I was fortunate to have taken a workshop with Virginia Avery in the early 90's called"Move Over Matisse".  It was a very liberating and fun experience, and I enjoyed every minute of my time with this amazing woman.  The quilt world owes much to thiscreative force of nature, who certainly walked this world to the beat of her own unique drum!

www.QuiltAlliance.org Weekend eBurst  September 7, 2012      Why We Do What We Do:   The story of an incredible life, documented safe and sound.   Virginia Avery in her home in Port Chester, New York, showing one of her quilted wearables. Virginia Avery, a pioneer in the American Quilt Revival period beginning  in the 1970's, passed away yesterday, September 6, just three weeks  shy of her 100th birthday. "Jinny" was internationally known for her quilts  and wearable art, and was also an accomplished jazz pianist--her band  played on the Today Show and for UN delegates.  Explore Jinny's Quilt Treasures web portrait to watch her video interviews  and mini-documentary, and see photos of her quilts. The documentation  of this incredible life is what the Quilt Alliance is all about.   We thank all of our supporters who allow us to save quilt history for future  generations. Funding for Jinny's quilt story was generously provided by  Jinny Beyer, Lake Mills Studios, RJR Fashion Fabrics, Karey Patterson  Bresenhan and Nancy O'Bryant Puentes. In-kind support came from Michigan  State University Museum and MATRIX: Center for Humane Arts, Letters  and Social Sciences Online at MSU. Thank you for investing in this project  to document the life of this great artist. Here is a short excerpt from Jinny's Quilt Treasures web portrait-- a testimonial  from Jinny's longtime friend (and fellow Quilt Treasure) Bets Ramsey recounting  a special visit to Jinny's studio in Port Chester, New York: The studio was stacked high with all the necessities for a fabric artist.  Orderly chaos. Jinny was working on a vest for her granddaughter's  present and other projects were in sight. Jinny has a love of bold,  bright colors and uses them to great success in her work. With years  of experience she is sure and quick in planning and executing a design  and the results is always smashing. I am sure her enthusiasm guarantees  success in her classes. "Of Thee I Sing Baby." Circular cape made as an invitational piece for the birthday of the Statue of Liberty, sponsored by the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City, 1986 - from March 1998 issue of Quilters Newsletter Magazine. We also recommend: A tribute to Virginia Avery by Karen Alexander on the Quilters Hall of Fame Blog The Quilt Show: Alex and Ricky visit Virginia at her home in 2007   Click here to join or renew online or download a mail-in form.

Cruise & Use the Quilt Index: Browse by Pattern video on The Quilt Index Youtube Channel We hope you will be doing some actual traveling next week to  attend our Quilters Take Manhattan event in the Big Apple.  And if you can't make the journey this time--you can attend  virtually by purchasing a "Home Ticket." For $25 you'll receive  the event goody bag and first access to video footage from the day.  Tickets still available but going fast: reserve your spot today!    Hope to see you soon! Amy Amy E. Milne, Executive Director The Alliance for American Quilts information@quiltalliance.org      PS. Facebook users, don't forget to "Like"  the Quilt Alliance page!