February 18, 2005
MAN-MADE QUILTS AT THE WESTMORELAND
Contact: Judy Linsz Ross, Director of Marketing
 Greensburg, Pennsylvania - The Westmoreland Museum of American Art (WMAA) announces the opening of its newest exhibition MAN-MADE QUILTS on Sunday, February 27, 2005. Organized by the Museum of American Quilter's Society in Paducah, Kentucky, this exhibition runs through April 17. It features 26 quilts by 22 male quilters including additional examples of quilts made by men from southwestern Pennsylvania. In conjunction with MAN-MADE QUILTS, Pittsburgh artist Shawn Quinlan features his thought provoking and unique quilted art in the Museum's Walsh Gallery. A preview reception is scheduled for Saturday, February 26 from 6-8 PM and is free and open to the public. This exhibition is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Man-Made Quilts is an invitational juried exhibition designed to highlight male contemporary quilt artists from across the country who are producing quilts either for pleasure, self expression or profession. It features outstanding quilts by some of the country's leading quilt artists. This exhibition seeks to recognize the accomplishments of an often-overlooked segment of the quiltmaking community, and to break the gender stereotype associated with quiltmaking.
Featured in the exhibition:
Paul Aschenbrenner (Salinas, CA)
J. Phil Beaver (French Lick, IN)
Tristan Blakeman (New Haven, CT)
Don Bloom (Tucson, AZ)
Pete Buchan (Latrobe, PA)
Brian Clements (Wray, CO)
Miles Fairchild (Palmer Lake, CO)
John Flynn (Billings, MT)
Jim Gatling (Morrilton, AR)
Allan George (Coeur D'Alene, ID)
Michael James (Lincoln, NE)
Jim Mikula (Ligonier, PA)
Scott Murkin (Asheboro, NC)
Paul Pilgrim (1942 – 1996, Oakland, CA)
Shawn Quinlan (Pittsburgh, PA)
Gerald Roy (Warner, NH)
Arturo Alonzo Sandoval (Lexington, KY)
Roger Sandy (Colorado Springs, CO)
George Siciliano (Lebanon, PA)
Carmon Slater (Evergreen, CO)
Steve Stratakos (Austin, TX)
J. Bruce Wilcox (Denver, CO)
ABOUT MAN-MADE QUILTS
While quiltmaking has historically been associated with women and typically thought of as a woman's art, men too, have been involved in the process in varied and different capacities. Many men assisted not only in building quilting frames, but also in the designing and drafting of blocks and intricate geometric pieced patterns, as well as basting, marking and quilting. Others participated in the complete process.
From historical records, it appears that the attraction to quilting for men was not in the producing of a utilitarian object, but the fascination with meeting the technical challenges. In the 1930s, Albert Small teased his wife and her friends about a quilt they had spent weeks diligently working on. In response, his wife Eva challenged Albert to try his hand at it, to see if he could do any better. Albert not only accepted the challenge, but set out to make a quilt with a record number of pieces. Mosaic #3, the last of three quilts he made in his life, contains 123,200 hexagons, each only a ¼-inch wide.
One possible factor responsible for men's involvement in quiltmaking is the usefulness of sewing as physical therapy. There are accounts of young men, born with physical disabilities, being taught to quilt in order to contribute to the production of household needs. After wars, there would be an upsurge in quilts made by men. The therapeutic value of quiltmaking has long been recognized and utilized. Paralleling all of this usefulness is the underlying value of the creative process and the satisfactory aspect of self-expression – an opportunity to express one's own artistic nature to whatever level one would aspire.
It would appear that men were less interested in the social aspect that quilting provides. It was an activity they pursued in private as one might expect because it was considered a woman's activity. There is a story of one man who worked in a chair specifically positioned to provide a quick hiding place for his work in the event someone dropped by unannounced.
For whatever reason, it is not necessary to justify the motives behind the effort. The fact that little documentation exists is unimportant. The fact that quiltmaking has provided an outlet for so many people for such a long time is testament enough of its survival and its continued success. It provides an opportunity for those interested to participate at any level they desire.
Today, modern quiltmaking knows no gender. People from diverse backgrounds have found fabric and chosen it as their medium of expression. As the mission of the Museum of the American Quilter's Society states, our goal is to educate and honor today's quiltmaker. This does not refer to a specific gender or geographical region. We seek to honor all quiltmakers whose work has reached a level worthy of recognition.
This exhibition is both an opportunity for the public to witness the work of a selected segment of the quilt community – the male quilt artist and to see first hand the beauty, craftsmanship, an artistic voice of a specific gender – the minority, in a female dominated industry. Make your comparisons, see the uniqueness, and observe the similarities. Above all, appreciate the dynamic effect and magnetism that quiltmaking has to offer, regardless of gender.
The mission of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art is to educate, inspire and enrich the public through the presentation, collection and preservation of American art and to create an experience in which the arts are enjoyed, understood and can thrive.
Regular Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM and Thursday until 9 PM. Admission is a $3 suggested donation for adults and children under 12 are free. Guided tours can be arranged by calling 724/837-1500 ext. 10. The Museum Shop carries books on American art, posters and notecards, children's books and activities, unique giftware, jewelry and features a coffee bar. For directions to the WMAA or other information, the public should call 724/837-1500 or visit our web site at http://www.wmuseumaa.org/. The WMAA is located at 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, approximately 35 miles east of Pittsburgh.
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