08.01.08
Posted in Travel, Museum News at 2:32 am by Administrator
We were invited to the preview of the opening of the 22nd annual quilt show at Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, VT. As usual, it was a lovely show and was juried. Three judges meticulously looked at each quilt and took the time to write very helpful comments to each and every participant. I know this only because Christine Fries, one of the judges, read some of the comments for the award quilts. (Wonderful to see Christine again!) Only quilters who live in Windsor County are eligible to display their quilts. More about the show, later.
We left early so that we would have time to stop in Lebanon, NH and in Quechee, VT, on the way up to Woodstock. These are some of our favorite places. We had hoped to visit the Raptor Center and see some birds, but by the time we’d driven that far, it was raining.
I don’t think there is a part of Vermont that I don’t like. I felt refreshed for the mere fact of having a change of pace from working so hard. When I’m home, I’m working. We have to go elsewhere to get a break. In Vermont, the countryside is so fresh and inviting and that part of the state is what one might call “yuppified” with its upscale shops and beautiful old homes and mansions.
My passion is old books and I found a hard bound song book from 1875, with just the lyrics. It will be fun reading. Another book on women’s studies fits right in with a topic I’m considering, so that was fun to find, too.
At 10:30 at night, we have not been home long. One of the highlights of the day was a lecture on Vermont Folk Art by a very qualified speaker. She inserted humor into her presentation, and shared images of folk art via images projected on a screen.
I’m feeling thankful and happy to have been included in this special event at the Billings, one of our favorite places in New England.
That’s the scoop.
Patricia Lynne Cummings
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07.30.08
Posted in Uncategorized, Museum News at 1:59 am by Administrator
Tonight, we attended an excellent lecture, at the Wright Museum, by Dr. James Kimble, Assistant Professor at Seton Hall University. He discussed imagery of dead soldiers in periodicals during a three month period of 1943 (World War II). This is the second year in a row that we heard Dr. Kimble speak. He is currently working on a new book that will be published in a year or two. His insight into propaganda events of WWII is stunning.
A couple of weeks ago, we attended a lecture/demonstration about how a woman (every woman) got dressed, in many layers of clothing, both summer and winter, in the 18th century. The couple, Adam and Mary Spencer, live in a house built in 1780, and participate in a lot of reenactments, from Fort Ticonderoga to Colonial Williamsburg. They brought along Linda Baumgarten’s wonderful book, that I’ve since purchased, but not had time to view. The meeting was at the Madison Historical Society. Coincidentally, I will be speaking at the September meeting.
There are so many events going on in New Hampshire, in every season of the year. I feel so lucky to live in a state with many historical societies and museums, not to mention antique shops which pseudo museums unto themselves.
I always love to learn, and I look at these museum programs as an enhancement of my education … because they are! Whenever I attend a lecture of any kind, it is my habit to take notes, an ingrained approach, to be sure.
Well, that is my update. I’m no longer calling around to find someone who has a “black pill.” My faith in humanity has been restored by several people who have been very helpful, responding to my plea for help. I’ll continue to hope that the rest of everything works out. Have a good Wednesday!
Patricia Lynne Cummings
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06.16.08
Posted in Museum News at 4:02 pm by Administrator
Unknown artist of the Kuna people who live on archipelagos off the coast of Panama. This mola features pelicans, dates to the mid-20th century, and is 100% cotton. The Alice Cox Collection of molas was given by her daughter, Mrs. Barbara Vallarion to Dartmouth’s Hood Museum of Art.
Accession #177.9.24726. Photo courtesy of Hood Museum of Art
This colorful mola blouse hails from the same donor. Again, it was constructed by an unknown artist, mid-20th century, with cotton cloth and thread. Accession #177.25.25739
Many thanks to Sharon Reed, publicist, for the images.
Important to note is that the Kuna Indians make blouses to wear. Each blouse had a decorative panel on both front and back. When the blouses have served their first intended purpose, they are disassembled and sold to tourists who flock to the islands via boats.
As was noted just recently in this column, mola “cheater cloth,” that resembles the look you see above, is now being sold in the country of mainland Panama.
Molas are a source of revenue for the women of Panama, as well as some albinos who comprise a larger than usual segment of the population, statistically-speaking. Albinos cannot withstand being in the sun and mola-making allows them to work indoors. One book reports that homosexual men also make molas there. For more information, please read my article on molas on my website. To find it easily, along with other entries on the topic, just key in “molas” on the search word function on the front page of Quilter’s Muse Publications.
Please see the previous announcement about the new exhibit of molas at the Hood Museum, on this blog. The installation will be in place until December 7, 2008.
Patricia Cummings
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