Wit/Whim at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts (1)

During a recent trip to the Midwest we traveled through rolling hills and acres of corn, arriving (at last) at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts. The landscape and 1850s-era barn is part of the charm. We were blown away by this little museum!

The museum hosts exhibits of artists ranging from traditional to contemporary techniques. The current exhibit, Wit/Whim, explores the themes of play, family, and a sense of belonging, inviting visitors to examine the intricate ways these concepts intersect and influence our lives.

Lost and Fun (2024) by Émilie Trahan (Quebec, Canada)  

This large contemporary quilt really stands out against the weathered wood of the barn.  Émilie Trahan is known for her improvisational modern quilts inspired by nature and the world around her. Made with recycled cottons, Lost and Fun is an exploration of bright colors, shapes, and movement. There are fascinating juxtapositions of line and shape everywhere you look!

Gift Baskets (2021), assembled and quilted by Susie Brandt   

Finished and submitted by Susie Brandt, a faculty member of the Fiber Art Department at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Gift Baskets features hand- and machine-stitched basket blocks by multiple artists.*  

By way of history: Susie Brandt first formed a raffle quilt group at MICA in 2015 including MICA students, staff, and faculty. When the pandemic forced the group into isolation, they resumed their weekly meetings over Zoom. Word spread and more people from around the US joined the group from all walks of life. The finished works reflect their conversations about many subjects including society and culture, art, hope and gratitude, grief and joy. 

25,000 Moments (That Made Me Me), 2022-23, by Will Grimm (Pennsylvania)

This amazing work consists of 25,000 1-inch squares that were hand-sewn together over the course of Grimm's 25th year of life.  Moreover, it is constructed entirely from hand-dyed fabrics! Grimm used natural and synthetic dyes, indigo, rust, screen printing, block printing, and digital printing to create this stunning tapestry of vibrant colors and patterns.  

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Will Grimm began sewing at a young age under the guidance of his grandmother. He earned a BFA in Fiber from the Maryland Institute of College of Art in 2019, and is currently pursuing a MFA at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. 

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration with permission at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts. *Gift Baskets is by artists Tobyanne Suyemoto, Sarah Barnes, Marla Parker, Sharone Conteh-Morgan, Susie Brandt, Dr. Denise Bailey-Jones, Audrey Naiva, Glenda Richardson, Andrea Dixon, Dr. Leslie King-Hammond, Betty Racicot, Erika Carruth, Jane Khattak, Rosalind Robinson, Ursula Populoh, Nina Bova, Julia Racicot, Dr. Lowrey Sims, Will Grimm, JoAnn Dixon, Rodette Jones, Robin King, Susan Tuberville, Valeska Populoh, Sarah Barnes.