Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative
Purple Fog by Martha Bilski, 7 by 10 inches
Used with permission of the copyright holder
As the population of the U.S. (and certainly other countries) ages, Alzheimer’s Disease is rapidly becoming a national health crisis. In the U.S., one in 10 individuals over 65 and nearly half of those over 85 are affected. Since people with Alzheimer’s live on average 8-20 years in a continual cognitive and physical decline, the emotional and financial effects on the individual and his or her family are absolutely devastating.
Shattered by Ann Louise Mullard-Pugh, 8.5 by 10 inches
Used with permission of the copyright holder
Ami Simms is a prominent quilter, teacher, and quilt humorist (she is the founder of the Worst Quilt in the World Contest) whose mother is one of 4.5 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s. This prompted her to begin the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI), a multifacted organization that raises awareness and funds research to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. There are many ways that you can be involved: you can make and/or buy a small art quilt as part of the Priority: Alzheimer’s Quilt Auction. You can go see Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece, an exhibit of 52 extraordinary art quilts that is traveling throughout the U.S. through July 2009. You can sign up for the AAQI newsletter. You can purchase Beebe’s Notecards, painted by an 82-year-old quilter who is in the moderate stages of the disease and no longer able to quilt. You can persuade your local quilt guild to adopt the Priority: Alzheimer’s quilt project as one of its community service projects.
I Know a Rhino by Ami Simms & Beebe Moss, 7 5/8 by 5 inches
Used with permission of the copyright holder
More on the Priority: Alzheimer’s project. All the rules are here, but in a nutshell you make a quilt no larger than 9 by 12 inches using any theme, style, or techniques. You pre-register the quilt by email then follow the shipping instructions in the return email. The quilt will be auctioned or sold, with all profits going directly to Alzheimer’s research. What a wonderful opportunity — with such a small project, there is much opportunity for experimentation and self-expression. And, if you’re a U.S. resident, each quilt entry gets you into a drawing for a great Bernina sewing machine! Hmmm … maybe we can get an entire Whip-up contingent involved in the project.
November 30th, 2006 at 1:41 am
Thank you SO much for posting this…my grandfather is suffering from Alzheimers and my mom is suffering too, from trying to care for him and seeing him deterioriate. I probably never would have found out about this amazing project otherwise.
November 30th, 2006 at 4:32 am
Thank you for bring this to everyone’s attention! My mother suffers from Alzheimer’s. It is difficult to see them become a child again..and then having to assume the parenting role. Very difficult.
Blessings on all of you who will involve yourselves in this project.
November 30th, 2006 at 5:16 am
Martha Bilski’s quilt is particularly intriguing.
It really walks the borderline between traditional ‘craft’ and visual art.
Conceptually I think it tips over onto the visual art side.
Very successful piece I think.
December 1st, 2006 at 6:53 am
Sign me up for the whip-up contingent.
March 12th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Newspaper info. about traveling quilt exhibit to be at a local area in March, but date too late to organize group. Will it be in St. Louis, Missouri metro area in April? Would like to take a group of ladies to see it and also to inspire them to make quilt pieces that we could send to an address you would recommend to finish the quilt at their discretion. Tried, but (because of my limited computer knowledge?) cannot access the websites regarding this info. Thank you in advance.
May 26th, 2007 at 12:41 am
Thank you for this message. I’ll try to catch this AAQI quilt show. So far it’s not scheduled to come near me, but there is still plenty of time. Meanwhile I’ll get the book!