UPCOMING EVENTS
The regular monthly in-person meetings of the Old Capitol Quilters Guild have been suspended until further notice in accordance with guidance from the Center for Disease Control and state and local officials designed to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 virus. HOWEVER, we are continuing to meet online via Zoom and we are delighted that our speakers are creatively adapting their presentations to this new format.
“Image from Welsh Quilt Museum, Lampeter, Wales”
“Image from Welsh Quilt Museum, Lampeter, Wales”
Don Dixson--November 9, 2020
Don grew up on a farm in North Central Missouri where art class was always the highlight of his day. His mother made most of the clothes for his family on a Singer treadle machine that had been converted to electric. In 2007, his artistic interests were rekindled when his sister encouraged him to make quilts for his twin granddaughters. His hobby of quilt making continued as he made quilts for other family members, friends and Quilts of Valor.
One friends took it a step further and showed one of Don's quilts to Stan Wiederspan (owner of the former Wiederspan Art Gallery). Stan's comment to her was, "I want to talk to this guy." Stan explained to Don that he had a talent that should be explored and that he needed to go beyond the borders of a quilt. Don was more than a bit overwhelmed and was uncertain as to how to meet this challenge.
It took Don a couple of years to find an interesting technique that served as a starting point as well as a source for using hand-dyed fabrics. Using a modified technique for improvisational piecing, he assembled his first piece. Don went to visit Stan at his gallery to show him his efforts. Stan was impressed and suggested that Don stretch it onto an artist canvas. With a high-level of excitement Don worked up another new piece which Stan displayed in his gallery. Much to Don's amazement, it sold within a week to the Kirkwood Collection. A private buyer saw the piece and asked that Don do a commission. As time passed, more of his pieces were purchased by people that responded to his art.
We look forward to seeing Don's art and learning about his technique.