March Magic

Sometimes being in the right place at the right time can lead to magical consequences.  It happened this week as Minerva Quilt Project students and I shared wonderful memories for Women's History Month.

The Minerva Quilt Project began in 2008 as part of the California Women's Conference.  California Arts Council member Bill Turner saw work created by students at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center and invited their participation in the prestigious event.  The first quilts were well received and prompted creation of a second round of work along with students from Ventura County Juvenile Detention Center.


For Women's History Month the Minerva Quilt Display documents the program in the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center.

 

Student interpretation of Minerva and her traits.  Minerva is the Roman goddess displayed on the California State Seal.

Student Minerva Quilt 

Student Minerva Quilt

On Wednesday, March 3, 2010 California First Lady Maria Shriver visited the center to thank students for their participation in the Minerva Quilt Project and provide encouragement and support for them as students and artists.  She commented that we are all artists of our lives and encouraged the students to create who they want to become one day at a time. 

This month Alameda County students created paper collages for this special meeting with First Lady Maria Shriver.

Minerva Collages 

Counselors with Minerva Collages

Counselor with Minerva Quilts

Marion with Quilt and Collages

On Thursday several students, parents, Alameda County officials and I participated in The Women's Conference Presents Day at the Museum at The California Museum in Sacramento, CA

 

 

2009 Minerva Banners by Alameda County and Ventura County Students  in front window of The California Museum

Minerva Banners using fabric markers and acrylic paints

Minerva Quilt Display 

Informational Display

Minerva Sculpture

Marion with 2006 Minerva Award Winner Jennie Hernanez Gin and her sister in front of Minerva Quilt Project Quilts

Poet Azure Antoinette of Get Lit

Art Commission staff members beneath Minerva Banner

California First Lady Maria Shriver and 2009 Minerva Award Winner Helen Devore Waukazoo 

  

Alameda County Adminstrator Susan Muranishi

In addition to the Minerva Award and Minerva Quilt festivities there were wonderful displays about fashion and all things California.  Fiber junkie that I am I enjoyed seeing period dressers moving around the museum and the special exhibit Discarded to Divine.

Now compare these garments

 

Fashion Designs by various artists including  Coleen Quen

I was impressed with what imagination and creativity can do with discarded items.  These are part of St. Vincent de Paul  Society, Discarded to Divine Exhibit.

   

  

Let's get stitching!