Great Canadian Quilt at Museum
SEGGA (Supporting the Efforts of the GoGo Grannies of Africa) under the umbrella of CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women) and the DCMA (Dufferin County Museum and Archives) are honoured to have the opportunity to present the Great Canadian Quilt at the Dufferin County Museum and Archives.
The Quilt was created by the CanGo Grannies of Kamloops, one of 150 Granny Groups nationwide who raise funds for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The Campaign helps grandmothers caring for children orphaned by AIDS. Often older women are viewed as having little value to the fabric of society. In Africa, the future of an entire generation of children now depends on the Grandmothers. And here, Canadian grandmothers have proven that we can, and will, and are doing something to help.
The Great Canadian Quilt is the brainchild of Sue Cooper, one of the Kamloops CanGo Grannies, a group of 35 women moved to action in 2004 by the words of Stephen Lewis. Together they created and produced a 7' x 5.5' red and white quilt, flag-like in design and shape, with each white patch signed personally by great Canadians.
The Quilt has 205 signatures of Canadians who have made important contributions in many facets of Canadian life from athletes, politicians, writers, scientists, activists, business people, and stars from stage, film, radio and TV. A master list with the names of influential Canadians was created. Using the principle of "Six Degrees of Separation", CanGo Grannies combed the internet, explored personal contacts, made cold calls, and used the most powerful method of all, calling people's mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. Some patches were sent multiple times, some names did not respond.
Dufferin Piecemakers Quilting Guild joined with the Orangeville groups, SEGGA (Supporting the GoGo Grannies of Africa) and CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women) at the Dufferin County Museum and Archives in August 2007 to host The Great Canadian Quilt, made by the GoGo Grannies of Kamloops, BC in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Monies raised go directly to support HIV/AIDS orphans in Africa.
SEGGA (Supporting the Efforts of the GoGo Grannies of Africa) is an Orangeville based "Grandmothers" group working to promote the awareness of, & provide funds for, the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Up until now the group has worked successfully under the umbrella of the Orangeville & District University Wornens' Club, but is currently looking for new members. If you would like to help, please contact Chris Elms at 5 I 9-942-5932 for information.
CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women) & all its member clubs are committed to high standards of education, participation in all levels of public affairs, & to the improvement of the status of women locally & internationally.
Dufferin Piecemakers Quilting Guild presented an evening with: John Willard, Creative Quilter, Teacher and Designer
\
John Willard came to quilt-making via display, costume and set design, collecting and photography. He began collecting antique quilts in 1970 and made his first quilt in 1975. John's quilts reflect his optimism and a shameless use of colour. His work has been exhibited in England, Europe, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand, as well as the U.S. and Canada. John began teaching quilt design in 1994. His workshops have been praised for their sense of fun, freedom and the absence of rigid control. John's favourite and most often heard compliment is "This workshop has forever changed the way I'll select my fabric and colours."
Instructor Biography – Sir Sanford Fleming College
Click here for a look at the one of a kind shirt that John Willard designed for Canadian filmmaker Norman Jewison