Every year we are overwhelmed by the generosity of the many people who offer to share their diverse talents by donating an auction item in support of our gala. Each item, whether it is a wellness class, a cooking experience, or a unique piece of photography or art, is donated with a very personal spirit of generosity and caring.
This year, three women- a renowned artist/printmaker, a nurse practitioner and quilt artist, and a teacher who is a cancer survivor- joined together for many months to create a stunning quilt depicting the flowers of New England. What do they all have in common? A true understanding of how collaboration has the power to heal. This understanding and labor of love is clearly exhibited through the brilliant craftwork, design and artistry of the piece, and it is an honor to place it in the TargetCancer Foundation Gala auction this year.
Click here to read the Artists’ Statement and see more photos of the quilt.
The Flowers of New England Quilt was embroidered by Diane Fine, a Distinguished Teaching Professor at the State University of New York- Plattsburgh where she teaches printmaking and book arts. Her work is regularly exhibited and is represented in public and private collections throughout the United States. In discussing her motivation for this collaboration, she said, “Making this quilt was an opportunity to take up a task that could honor TargetCancer Foundation’s mission…Just as the needle sews stitch after stitch resulting in a glorious whole, medical research and patient care requires a collaborative spirit to build on ideas and discoveries that will produce results that protect and heal.”
The quilt was pieced by Karen Case, a nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner and long-time quilt artist who states that “nothing makes me happier than joining forces with other like-minded creative spirits from which this quilt was born.” And finally, Jean Welch, a retired public school teacher and cancer survivor, custom quilted and stitched the entire piece. She discussed her personal experience motivating her contributions: “At the young age of 46 I was diagnosed with breast cancer… So it is with a great deal of respect, we gladly support your Foundation’s quest. I would like to think that this quilt will bring buckets of financial support for cancer research equal to the unending emotional support young students gave to my family and me.”
These statements offer just a glimpse of the collaboration and the motivation for the enormous work that it took to piece this quilt together. There is no doubt that the winner of the Flowers of New England Quilt will be warmed and nurtured by the loving human spirit that is stitched into every panel.
If you are interested in bidding but cannot attend the gala, please contact Samantha Sullivan to set up proxy bidding. Bidding will start at $750.