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Inspired by Endangered Species

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Endangered nature - a subject could not be more topical!
The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans. Our challenge for the future is that we realize we are very much a part of the earth's ecosystem, and we must learn to respect and live according to the basic biological laws of nature. - Jim Fowler

Inspired by Endangered Species

 
 

In 2017, quilter and author Donna DeSoto called for quilts on the subject of endangered species. Plants and animals whose existence is endangered should be represented. And these are not only the well-known representatives, but also countless small or inconspicuous creatures.
With this book and the 182 (!) quilts that are on a successful exhibition tour in the USA, Donna makes her contribution to the fight against environmental destruction and climate change. Many people should hear the message and in this case: SEE.

 

With 280 perfect photo pages and a weight of almost 1.7 kilos, the book is truly a heavyweight. And not only on the outside!
The quilts are presented along with scientific information about the species, its habitat, the degree of endangerment and - most importantly - what needs to be done to preserve the species.

In the appendix artists are listed, their respective view on the subject, the motivation for their presentation and technical details.
However, it is not an instruction book, rather a feast for the eyes of nature lovers and conservationists, and also a source of inspiration for art quilters.

My Quilt

Nothing is as versatile, fascinating and beautiful as the never ending appearances of wildlife. In addition to the joy of nature, I feel great concern. The global changes are reducing the habitats of many species to the point that they are threatened with extinction.
This also affects the sometimes inconspicuous mushrooms. They are omnipresent: in medicine, as beneficial or harmful molds, in our meals. In forest and meadows they have immense ecological significance. They interact with soil organisms and plants in many ways and ensure the recycling of organic matter.
Science still has a lot to explore, but one thing is certain: a world without elephants would be changed and sad, but without mushrooms the cycle of life would come to a standstill.


Red Waxcap
(Porpolomopsis calyptriformis)

My Quilt of the Red Waxcap is actually the only mushroom in the collection.
See more images in my gallery.
In autumn in Europe the Pink Waxcap appears on closely cropped or mown grassland where artificial fertilisers are not spread. Here they indicate landscapes as wildlife sanctuary.
All Hygrophoraceae fungi are enangered. Waxcap fungi such as these are in decline due to destruction or pollution of grassland habitats. In Germany there are only 20 places of discovery known.
Pink Waxcaps are also sometimes found in woodlands in parts of North America.
See also this page at Site in English First Nature.

Exhibitions


30.10.2019 - 03.11.2019

The quilt exhibit, Inspired by Endangered Species, started its exhibition tour at the Library of Congress (Washington, DC) in June 2019. This is a special honor. And immediately after that it went to the famous Quilt Festival 2019 in Houston, Texas.
Unfortunately, due to lack of space, only the animal portraits were exhibited. 182 quilts were just too many ...
But there were still enthusiastic visitors. Here is a video from Donna's archive: Site in English Video.

Who would have thought that this would become a five year tour with 23 great venues? The quilts were unpacked and presented for the last time in July 2024.

Read more information about the Endangered Species Quilts on Site in English these pages.

About the Author

Others collect quilts, but Donna Marcinkowski DeSoto is a collector of quilters. She promotes camaraderie among the unsuspecting with subtle nudges to come have a look, open invitations to join in group quilting challenges, and all-out harangues to drop everything and join in the fun. DeSoto's artwork has been exhibited at local and national venues, universities, hospitals, healing and charity projects, and in private residences. Her work has been featured in magazines and books.

On her website Site in English Inspired Quilts she briefly presents her projects. She has already successfully launched several quilt projects and published them as books. I participated in to site Inspired by the Beatles: An Art Quilt Challenge and to site Inspired by the National Parks.

 

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© Regina Grewe, Kamen
Last update: 26.06.2024