In this series Dr. Cassandra Stancil Gunkel will lead us through the history of quilting as medium for portraiture, introduce works by modern artists, and teach us a few techniques to create our own portraits with fabric. 

*Note: You need to attend the October program in order to participate in the hands-on parts of other two, which are both optional but do not stand alone without initial session.

Portraits were perhaps the first fine art painting. Think “Mona Lisa,” and what comes to mind is a picture of a serene woman of wealth, captured in oils, hundreds of years ago.  In 2024, portrait artists often use fabric to portray everyday folks in vivid, larger-than-life views. The Los Angelese artist Ramses got the keys to the L. A. Times  photo “morgue,” to study news images of black people in his community whenever he wants. Closer to home, Bisa Butler of Newark left classroom teaching to re-create larger than life images of boys and girls, men and women. Her fabric portrait quilts now hang on the walls of major museums.

• In October we will use basic templates and shapes to design distinctive images. By playing with scissors and prepared fabrics, we fashion these templates into versions of ourselves.

• In November we will use stencils to personalize our portraits. We will also welcome Mrs. Gloria Brown of Newtown, founding member of Bucks County Friendly Quilters, who will share and discuss some of her quilts.

• In December we will practice slow stitching and embellish our quilts with beads and buttons