A LIMOUSIN WOMAN IN “DON QUIXOTE” COUNTRY

Patchwork exhibition for “Islamic Days”

10th - 14th October 2001 at

ALMONASTER LA REAL (Spain)

On the “Projects” page, I talk about a Round Robin which I started on 1st June 2001. This brought together 9 net surfers from different countries, one of whom was MIRVIA who lives in Andalusia at Almonaster la Réal in the province of Huelva, about 100 km from Seville.

This new group very quickly got on with each other and all 9 of us have become friends despite the distances which separate us.

It turned out that Mirvia, who was a beginner but full of enthusiasm for patchwork, had the idea of organising an exhibition in her area, where the practice of this textile art was unknown. Her steps strongly resembled mine, which I explain on my page about the workshop. So she launched an appeal on the France-Patchwork forum to find partners, and especially pieces of work to exhibit. I was extremely interested in her project and I replied.

Bit by bit as the messages came in, I made up a file of my work pieces with photos and text which Mirvia submitted to her local council. As at Les Grands Chézeaux in Limousin, the Almonaster la Réal Council 1700 km away was very enthusiastic and gave us both a free hand to organise the event, together with the use of a magnificent hall. So my husband and I, with all my pieces of work in the boot, left by car for - Andalusia!!

Curra MARQUEZ and Gloria RABASSA, two Spanish artists, each entrusted us with 3 pieces of work also.

I set up initiation courses for beginners. Xavier (Mirvia’s husband) and Roland (my husband) lent us a hand with all the organisation. I have to say that there were only the four of us to cope with all the organising, hanging up and taking down. Mirvia and I took care of welcoming the many visitors

It was a success way beyond our expectations. At the inauguration of the exhibition we were honoured by the presence of the Minister of Culture for Seville Province and Spanish television. We received more than a thousand visitors and all the schoolchildren. As for the initiation course, I found myself with about 25 ladies round the table!!

Despite our tiredness, it was a very enriching experience and the cultural and artistic consequences are not insignificant
In fact, Mirvia, in partnership with the local council, has just created a patchwork workshop which has 21 members. We are both equally looking forward to the 2002 exhibitions, one at La Linea and one at Algeciras.

Inauguration day, 10th October 2001. Left to right: Mirvia, the Minister of Culture for Almonasta, and me.