Alex, Kathy, Susan, Mary, Diane, Ami, Beth, and Ricky.
On August 10th I joined Alex Anderson, Ricky Tims, and their fabulous crew in Boulder, Colorado as a guest on The Quilt Show. Our program will air some time in December. (I’ll let you know when.)
Joining me were AAQI Board Members Susan Pain and Kathy Kennedy-Dennis from Houston , and AAQI volunteers Beth Hartford and Diane Petersmarck from the Chicago area, and Mary Lecea from Flushing, Michigan.
The show marked the first time that “Alzheimer’s Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope” was exhibited in public. We brought almost a third of the exhibit to hang on the black drape behind the studio audience and on the display wall. The entire exhibit will begin traveling in January 2011.
AAQI volunteers have been working on this extraordinary exhibit since 2008. Before the show began, the last name was inked onto the last patch on the last Name Quilt. We had reached our goal of 10,000 names of people who have or had Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. It was an emotional moment.
Those familiar with the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative online auction may have noticed that the taping was on the 10th of the month. Our online auctions have been held during the first 10 days of every month since January 2006. As our auctioneer was at the taping, bids were updated during breaks. In this picture Susan helps auctioneer Diane process bids on the set. (That’s dedication for you!)
During the taping, members of The Quilt Show community presented the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative with dozens of Priority: Alzheimer’s Quilts! I can’t begin to tell you how incredibly moving it was to look out at the studio audience and see every person holding a little 9″ x 12″ quilt! Thank you all!
There were more surprises, but I won’t let the cat out of the bag.
A huge thank-you to all the people who had a hand in creating this show. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to tell people about Alzheimer’s and to enlist their help in working towards a cure. I appreciate it more than I can ever say.
Your comments are most welcome, and please share this blog with your friends.
Thank you,
Ami Simms
Founder & Executive Director
Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative
It was a privilege to be a part of your purple name quilt project.
I refer to it as, “Quilting on Sacred Ground”.
Please see my blog post:
http://luannkessi.blogspot.com/2010/03/quiltingon-sacred-ground.html
LuAnn in Oregon
Quilting in Rememberence of my Grandmother
kessi@pioneer.net
It was an honor to be in the studio as a cheerleader for Ami and the AAQI team. It was SOOOOO impressive to see the new exhibit glowing against the black curtains, and likewise all the other quilts hung in the studio. Believe me, folks, Ami has worked ceaselessly to make the AAQI successful in honor of her mother and all others who suffer with or because of the dreaded disease of Alzheimers. And I agree with Diane about watching the TQS team’s reaction. Can’t wait to see the entire program! A huge THANK YOU to Alex and Ricky and all their staff for bringing this about.
I LOVE it! I’m thrilled for you, and so proud of ALL you’ve accomplished, especially in such a short time. You’ve touched so many people’s lives. I think your example draws us in like bees to honey to participate in whatever way we can with AAQI. Just knowing you is inspiring. Thank you. Your courage is awesome.
By the way, does Madison know about the “cat in the bag”? Will he be blogging any time soon? I’m sure he would think it’s cruel to keep a cat in a bag like that, and want us to know the full details …
This Army wife yells “HOOOO-AAHHH” for you and AAQI!
It was a wonderful experience all the way around! Thanks for including us Ami!
Ami and team,
The show was wonderful and will no doubt be one of the most watched of all we have done until now. Look for it to post on The Quilt Show website in early December. Thanks!!!
Wonderful….can’t wait to see the new quilt exhibit. I was able to attend your lecture at the Shelburne Museum and view the quilts. Thank you for sharing your Mom’s story and your knowledge. When the exhibit first came to Essex Jct. Vermont a few years back, I was not able to go thru more than 2 or 3 quilts, just too difficult at the time. I came away from listening to you and viewing the exhibit with renewed motivation and also some closure to old heartaches. Thank you so much.
I was a thrill to see part of Heartbreak to Hope hung – the total show is going to be positively amazing! This exhibit will go a LONG way towards making everyone who takes a look at even part of it aware of the devastation dementia is causing in this society. I watched TQS show production staff as the realization hit them of what we were all about – that these were no ordinary quilts. All I can say is “bravo everyone!”
Amazing to see how this has developed into something so beautiful. The name quilts look like stained glass panels. Thank you, ami.
Wow..what a wondeful opportunity for Alzheimer Education. I spotted my quilt on the wall with the panels. I am humbled by the selection. What a marvelous idea for the backdrop.. It feels so good to know that my Mom and friends have their names represented. Way to go AAQI. Sonia
How awesome! Back when this all began, who could have imagined just how far AAQI would go and what a difference it would make!
Outstanding!!!!!