Conference to connect quilts, teaching

How quilts connect people locally, nationally and globally is the subject of the Arts, Curriculum and Community Conference scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7, at the Monona Terrace Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Drive, in Madison.

Quilt scholars and historians, expert quilters, educators and community members will explore how quilting and arts are used in classroom and communities to tell stories and teach subjects ranging from math to social studies to science.

The conference is a partnership between the university and the Wisconsin Arts Board, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The conference will open with a keynote address by author and artist, Faith Ringgold, based on the theme “Anyone Can Fly: More Than 30 Years of Making Art.” She speaks at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 6.

Ringgold is best known for her large painted story quilts, art that combines painting, quilting and storytelling. Her first book, “Tar Beach,” received Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King awards for illustration. She has exhibited in major museums in the United States, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Her work is in the permanent collection of many museums, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Marsha MacDowell, quilt scholar from Michigan State University, will discuss “Why Do 20 Million U.S. Artists Quilt?” at 9 a.m. Sunday, March 7. The conference will conclude with a lecture, “Influences of Africa” by Hollis Chatelain, internationally recognized quilt artist. She speaks at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 7.

Sessions also will features hands-on activities related to teaching language arts (poetry, storytelling), math (geometry, patterns), social studies (history, geography, community, culture), science (textiles and fabric dyeing) and visual art (design, color, drawing, aesthetics). For artists, quilters and community members, sessions will cover computer design, the study of color, and the relationship between drawing and quilting.

“Artists and quilters will be inspired to add excitement and creativity to their work while learning new skills and techniques from national, regional and local quilters,” says conference organizer and quilter Nancy Blake, an outreach specialist with the School of Education.

A gallery will exhibit quilts, including Chatelain’s “Precious Water,” the first piece in a series for the Museum of the American Quilters Society; the American Spirit Quilt Collection, a traveling national collection based on emotion following 9/11; children’s quilts from Franklin, Randall and Hawthorne schools in Madison; and works by conference faculty, including Ringgold. Books, videos, resources and other items will be available for purchase. The gallery will be open Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Attendees can receive 1.5 continuing education units that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction can convert to clock hours. The conference also will meet Wisconsin standards for teacher development and licensure.

The fee is $225 per person, $250 at the door if space is available. The fee includes materials, meals and refreshments.

For more information, contact Nancy B. Blake, nblake@education.wisc.edu; Linda K. Shriberg, shriberg@education.wisc.edu; or the Office of Education Outreach, (608) 263-5140.