“Ragged Edges” on tour with SAQA OREGON

Somebody Told Me…Communicating with Thread
See the exhibit online

Opens at the Chehalem Cultural Center, Jan 20, March 19, 2026
Reception Friday Jan 23, 5-7 pm, 415 E Sheridan St, Newberg, OR97132
Touring for two years, future venues TBA

When I read the title of the exhibit, I felt that I had a quilt that told a story to fit. I am happy that Irene Roderick, the juror chose it among the many other great pieces.

My story:
I always think about edges when I make quilts. “How neat are they, how straight, how well ironed?” This is the voice of my grandmother in my head, still after all these years. She was a seamstress in Boston in her youth, making ladies ballgowns. After a lifetime pioneering across Canada with the new railroads and her own family, she taught me to make straight seams, neat zippers, bound buttonholes, finished edges, hand sewn hems, and detailed ironing. My parents gave me a sewing machine for 8th grade graduation, so by the time I was in high school, I was making all my clothes, neatly. Now, I think of her when I see threads hanging from the sewn edges on my quilts. She would laugh out loud at my current construction techniques and the wild fabrics I can produce with my hand dyeing.

Read Irene’s statement below.

I think Irene Roderick’s Juror statement is helpful to read: Here are her words as she selected the artworks for this diverse show:
     “For this exhibition, artists were invited to explore the impact of verbal interaction on their lives—the importance of communication with each other, with our world, with our pasts, and with our futures. I applaud all the artists who entered quilts and the diversity of ideas of what can be considered communication. I loved reading the statements and the stories with each quilt, giving me an insight into the artist’s concept of how we address the subject of interaction between each other and nature. Congratulations to all of you who entered. You all did a great job. Reviewing each quilt and reading each statement, I considered how the two worked together. Did the quilt reflect the story that inspired it? I also studied the elements of design and construction. Did the quilt’s color and design also reflect the story? Could I “see” the story in the quilt or was it needing an explanation for me to understand what was being expressed? It was very difficult to choose because the quality and statements were all very strong.
     As I spent time with these quilts, I began to see themes emerge: Many of the quilts are based on advice. Some reflect on the importance of wisdom passed between the generations: from grandparents, parents, and even grandchildren. Others recall advice prompting a move to rebel and lead in a new direction. Within this theme these quilts illustrate how advice can be a voice from the past that still resonates today. Several artworks were prompted by musical lyrics. The influence of songs that we grew up with offers a powerful message. I find music can be an important part of my memories still bringing me joy, sadness, or even anger.
Some quilts express the downside of communication. Negative words often have more power and cause more pain than we realize. Gossip can harm, especially in this age of social media. Losing the ability to communicate through dementia or dyslexia can cause deep sadness and fear.
     Quilts with a sense of humor share joy. In this time of turmoil, I think we often forget how important humor is to our sanity. We need to remember how to laugh and play. One quilt played with language, turning it into a puzzle. Another quilt reminded me of how a good book can bring hours of escape and calm.
     Other artworks remind us how communication is often storytelling—stories that cross cultural divides and help us understand each other. I was especially drawn to a quilt with petroglyphs reminding us that humans have always communicated through symbols and told stories through mark making. Other artworks tell the story of communication within nature. Nature “speaks” to us in different ways and within itself. These quilts allow us to learn about and reflect on the complex interactions in the natural world.
     I believe this selected body of work will encourage viewers to reflect on the many ways we communicate—and on the power of that communication. As you view this exhibit, I hope you think about the impactful things you have been told, and the things you have told others. Take a moment to recall the advice, the slogans, the rhetoric, the secrets—all the words and expressions that shape our memories and influence our lives.”