•As a follow-up to the Lowell Women's Week
Public Art Project 2008,
, we are inviting
quilters to submit 12½” unfinished quilt squares featuring their
favorite leaf and tree patterns. The squares may be pieced or
appliquéd. NEQM
staff and volunteers hope to accumulate 120 quilt squares to
complete 10 lap size quilts. When completed, the quilts will be
featured as a part of the Community Quilting Exhibit at
the 2008 Lowell Quilt Festival. Thereafter, the quilts
will be donated to local organizations such as Project Linus,
the Visiting Nurse Association and/or the Wish Project.
(more)•
For several years, experienced museum staff have
introduced the FUNdamentals of
quilting to girls 7-12 years old at
Girl’s
Inc.,
a nearby community organization. Girls sew their first needle
books, are given needles, pins
and threads for the project, and take home their supplies when
the program ends. In addition, the girls may complete a
patchwork pillow, an appliqué scarf (winter) or appliqué tote
bag (spring) during the four-week
program.
•NEQM
participates throughout the year in citywide events. During
Winterfest in February, museum staff and volunteers give
students an opportunity to make their own polar fleece scarves.
For February School vacation, Kids Week in Lowell, an
afternoon’s activity may focus on patchwork or appliqué. During
the Lowell
Folk Festival
and Lowell
Quilt Festival adults and students have an opportunity
to learn about hand quilting and add their stitches to a group
quilt project that may later become a raffle quilt for the
museum.
•
Every year, hundreds of school
children come to the museum to see the exhibitions, take
part in a scavenger hunt or quilting activity. Classes that do
not have the admission fees are often sponsored.
Since 2004, museum staff have partnered with different
Lowell public schools to design quilt projects in conjunction
with art, geography, math, or social studies curriculum. Staff
visit the schools and bring all the necessary supplies for the
class quilt project. Staff and volunteers work at the museum to
complete the quilts which are presented to the students when
they visit the museum. The latest project is
Traditions
Throughout the Year, by the Second Grade Students at the
Peter W. Reilly Elementary School, Lowell MA.
NEQM collaborates with home school groups, senior centers and
other area agencies to introduce quilting to students and
adults. If you would like more information about developing a
program for your school or community group, please contact
Rhonda Galpern at
outreach@nequiltmuseum.org, or 978-452-4207, ext 17.
