Wow! Quite a response!

Obviously my last post struck a nerve with quite a few people.  All of the feedback was both wanted and needed. Thank you.

 Many of you responded with comments on this blog, and others e-mailed me directly.  Most of the e-mailed comments were from people who had insights into the situation based on their own experiences, with this Guild.  None of them disagreed with any of my comments. Some of  them offered their own experiences, and these experiences only served to support the idea that this particular guild is steeped in tradition, and determined to maintain the "status quo".

Some, who have taught at the Guild, found many individual members very enthusiastic about more creative quilt-making, and very skilled at putting creative ideas into their designs. As someone who has taught there, this echoes my experiences. They appear to be "closet" art quilters.

One lady, in her e-mail, used the term "Quilt Mafia".  I like this term, and have her permission to use it.  "Quilt Police" are open and obvious with their comments about what should and should not be done ( we've all met them!).  "Quilt Mafia" are more insidious, and covert, in their efforts to control what we think, and what we do, in our quilts.

Many of you had suggestions for dealing with the situation. Some thought that a forthright response would be to stand up at a meeting and bring the situation out into the open.  Others suggested that I put my energy into organizing a second local Guild that openly encourages art quilters as members.  Many of you were concerned that I, as a individual, make sure that I have some local source of support and encouragement.

I have spent over 10 years on the Executive Committee of this Guild, and 8 years on the Major Workshop committee.  I have been associated with the Guild since it was formed almost 30 years ago.  I brought the first set of by-laws to the floor, and, unfortunately, I also had to bring a very unpleasant, and disentious financial situation to the floor. Talk about standing up with or without a flame proof suit!  During the same time I put in 23 years on the executive of the local Embroiderers' Guild.  I'm old and tired.

On a much brighter side, there is a small fibre art support group locally.  I love these women!  They make me crazy. When I come home from a meeting, I am so inspired and enthustiastic that it  takes hours for me to calm down enough to sleep. At the same time I belong to the regional group, The Fibre Art Network  ( Look us up http://www.fibreartnetwork.com/). This is where my energy will be going for the next little while.