WAQ Freedom to Read Group Project – Westcliffe CO Library – 2023
In November 2021, a press release was distributed about this project. The West Custer County Library and the Westcliffe Art Quilters (WAQ) partnered on the creation of a Freedom to Read Quilt. The quilt would portray the library community, the freedom to read, and the many ways in which the library serves our residents and visitors. It is hoped that the completed quilt will be an inspirational piece of art to all who visit the library.
Our WAQ group started this project in September 2021 with the proposal, and designed and created the wall quilt. Each of us took a portion of the piece to create. Then the pieces came together to create the art quilt. The quilt was officially dedicated at the library on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, on a Patron Appreciation Day.
Quilt Label wording:
FREEDOM TO READ
Created by the Westcliffe Art Quilters 2022
This quilt was commissioned by the West Custer County Library District to celebrate the Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read.
Westcliffe Art Quilters: Renee Bennett, Linda Davis, Rhonda Denney, Eileen Feret, Mary-Lou Giacomelli, Deb Martin, Jan Neisius and Becky Poisson.
Unique collaborative design by WAQ members. Construction techniques used in this quilt: Hand dyed fabric (aspen trunks and sky), tea dyed fabric backgound, painted and printed Lutradur (leaves), unique collaborative design, Pigment Patchwork techniques by Rhonda Denney (people vignettes) embroidered animals and birds, die cut letters, embroidered letters, thread painting, machine quilted and appliqued.