The COVID-19 HOPE Quilt Letters at Del Ray Artisans

During this historic moment, the COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented national crisis. The COVID-19 HOPE Quilt, a grass roots community art project, was launched by Diane Canney in response to national sentiments of grief and uncertainty.

For hundreds of years, quilts have been part of the fabric of America. Mourning quilts were used to wrap infants and adults who died. Valor quilts honor veterans. They provide comfort, remembrance, and an historical record passed down for generations. Now when communal grieving is not possible, the quilt panels help tell the story of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Quilt panel contributions are being accepted from around the country to provide an outlet for grief and to document heroism in fighting the outbreak.

The 8-foot tall HOPE installation is on display outside Del Ray Artisans gallery from October 6, 2020 through January 31, 2021. Many of the quilt panels were contributed by Del Ray Artisans members, including panels by Guy Jones, Kelly MacConomy, Scott MacConomy, Terry Atkin Rowe, Karen Schmitz, Kathy Turner, and Nina Tisara.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to create a panel to expressly honor a front-line worker or a person in memoriam. Artistic efforts representing HOPE for the future are also welcome and encouraged. You may drop off panel artwork at Del Ray Artisans (see hours below) to be delivered to the HOPE Quilt for assembly. High-resolution digital image entries of three-dimensional or mixed-media work may also be uploaded to the website for transfer to fabric. Submissions will be on exhibit at the virtual gallery on the HOPE Quilt website (www.hopequilt.org). Each panel should be 10.5 x 10.5" (or 11 x 11"), and the center 10 x 10" of the panel will be visible in the final assembled quilt.

“To go” materials are available in Del Ray Artisans entryway for anyone interested in working on a panel. Materials include properly sized fabric, information about the project, and an entry form. Finished panels may be returned to Del Ray Artisans during regular hours. The gallery is closed December 21, 2020 through January 6, 2021. Starting January 7 the gallery is open on Thursdays & Fridays 12-6pm, Saturdays 12-4pm. Alternatively, you may mail your square to COVID19 HOPE QUILT PROJECT, P.O Box 2610, Purcellville, VA 20134.

For more information, visit DelRayArtisans.org contact Kelly MacConomy at outreach@delrayartisans.org.