photocredit: clearlakeartscenter.org
BY: RACHEL WUMKES
Someday, we will look back on this unprecedented time in history. To share stories with loved ones about lockdown and quarantine, of toilet paper shortages and ordering take-out. The pandemic will sooner or later be included in history books as the children of tomorrow learn about the hardships we all endured.
The Clear Lake Arts Center, however, is taking an interesting approach to preserve this time in our life. To create a masterpiece depicting the thoughts and feelings of Iowans during the pandemic, they are asking residents of our great state to funnel their creative juices into quilt squares. Inspired by the iconic AIDS quilt of the 1980s, this project is using the pandemic as a backdrop to create multiple quilts of creativity. This statewide venture, developed and sponsored by the Clear Lake Art Center, will be a snapshot of life in Iowa during this difficult time.
Aptly named the Side by Side project as quilt squares are placed side by side to tell their story, the hope is to engage Iowans from all walks of life across the state to build a sense of community. The Arts Center hopes to receive 3000 entries in which they will construct 30 quilts. These masterpieces will then be on display at the Arts Center and around Iowa.
So how can you join in?
It’s simple! Each participant can submit one 10” x 10” square to the project. You can use your own fabric or request a square from the project. Within your square, you will have 9” of working area. This leaves a ½ inch border needed to sew the squares together to make the finished quilt.
You must use the 10” square! Submitted squares of the incorrect size will not be part of the finished project.
Then comes the fun part! Use the square piece of fabric to create an art piece by drawing, painting, sewing, needlework, printing, photo transfer, beading, or whatever medium you like to work in. It is not required to make a “traditional” quilt square; however, you are more than welcome to go that route should you choose. Be sure to sign the backside of your square to ensure you are a part of Iowa history forever.
When you are finished, go to www.clearlakeartscenter.org and click on the downloadable form for the project. From there, you can print and fill in the submission sheet to ensure you have met all the requirements associated with the project. All squares must be submitted by Spring of 2022.
Quilts have a long history in America. They are artifacts of a time and place, telling stories and personal testaments to people’s lives. It is not just a hobby; there is so much more than sewing scraps of fabric together to make a blanket. It’s a work of art, really. One which gathers people from all walks of life, bound by their love of creating these masterpieces.
I am excited to see what this project brings out in people; to see what their creativity sparks. There are just so many aspects of the pandemic as it has affected everyone differently throughout the State.
To learn more about the project, please visit www.clearlakeartscenter.org or follow them on Facebook. the