P E A C E Q U I L T S
Building Better Lives Through Art
News and Events
Earthquake
We sadly mourn the passing of Richard Charles, one of our faithful drivers. Sadly he was killed along with his two children as he tried to rescue them from his collapsed home. Only his wife survived. We fondly remember the many times he transported us around Haiti, including safely navigating through the turmoil in the streets of Port-au-Prince in April 2008 when food prices skyrocketed. He will not be forgotten.
One of the buildings where we have stayed and often visit in Canapé Vert in Port-au-Prince. We had hoped to start a quilting program at the training school here later this year. These plans are now on hold.Listen to the podcast of an interview of PeaceQuilts Director Jeanne Staples on Cape Cod Broadcasting's award-winning program "Sunday Journal." Scroll to "PeaceQuilts" on 1/25/10.
PeaceQuilts Touring Museum Exhibition
Patience to Raise the Sun
Premiers at the Bennington Museum in Vermont
Despite the horrific devastation in Haiti, the women of the PeaceQuilts cooperatives have been finding strength and support by gathering together to work. It is a testament to their resilience and sense of purpose. This spirit is beautifully exemplified in the exhibition Patience to Raise the Sun, now set to tour nationally. Watch for details for the schedule as they become available to see it at a museum near you!
Opening reception of
PATIENCE TO RAISE THE SUN - ART QUILTS FROM HAITI
Bennington Museum's Executive Director, Stephen Perkins (far right), kicks off the evening by welcoming the 100 guests attending the opening reception of Patience to Raise the Sun. Guests of honor, Sr. Angela Bélizaire and Nadège Florian (third and fourth from the left) traveled from Haiti for the event.
Quilt artist, Nadège Florian (in orange) answers questions about her work.
A video, featuring interviews with the artists, and scenes depicting their work environment and the backdrop of Haiti, plays on loop in the gallery. (To watch the video, scroll down.)
Jamie Franklin, Curator of Collections, provides information and insights during several gallery talks throughout the evening.
Everyone tapped or danced to Caribbean rhythms as Sr. Angela Bélizaire accompanied New York-based musician Bonga!
PeaceQuilts Group meets with Haiti's Minister of Women's Affairs and Rights
From left to right: Ann Valerie Milfort (Chief of Staff), Maureen Matthews McClintock, Jeanne Staples, the Honorable Marie Laurence Jocelyn Lassegue, Minister of Women's Affairs and Rights, Karen Flynn and Jo Van Loo.
PeaceQuilts members met with the Honorable Marie Laurence Jocelyn Lassegue, Haiti's minister of Women's Affairs and Rights, at her headquarters in Port-au-Prince at the beginning of November. It was a reunion of sorts, as last July, the minister was welcomed by PeaceQuilts during a visit she and her staff made to the United States in an effort to find funding to establish women's centers in each of Haiti's ten departments. The mission of PeaceQuilts shares similar aims for helping women to find training and work.
New Cooperative Gets Started Near Croix-des-Bouquets
A new cooperative was given a start at the beginning of November at College Mixte des Jeunes du Rosarie near Croix-des-Bouquets outside Port-au-Prince. Even more exciting, Nadège Florian (seated second from left) and other members of Artisanat Patchwork de Paix in Lilavois are passing on their needlework and quilting skills to the new group. Not only is this exciting, it's empowering. Haitian women are teaching other Haitian women, and working with them to organize the cooperative until it is self-directed.
Below: Members of the cooperative at Lilavois prepare teaching materials to share with the women of the new cooperative.
Warm reception of PeaceQuilts project by MA State Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry and Rep. Marie St. Fleur
Rep. Marie St. Fleur, Karen Flynn, Rep. Linday Dorcena Forry, Jeanne Staples (PeaceQuilts Director)
PeaceQuilts was the focus of the discussion at a meeting at the State House in Boston with PeaceQuilts Director, Jeanne Staples, volunteer Karen Flynn, and Massachusetts State Representatives - Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry and Rep. Marie St. Fleur. Offering advice, information, and contacts from the Haitian-American community, the two state representatives praised the efforts of PeaceQuilts to relieve poverty in Haiti by establishing and supporting women's quilting cooperatives.
The Third Annual Celebrity Waiters Dinner - March 20, 2010 from 5:00-7:30 PM. Don't miss it! All proceeds to benefit PeaceQuilts.
Here are photos from last year's dinner!
"Nurse Feelgood" and "Sr. Mary Major Minor" entertain their diners as they work for tips. It's all in good fun as they raise money for PeaceQuilts.
And the winner is..."Nurse Feelgood" and her assistant "Dr. McDreamy"!! (AKA Pam Butterick and real-life doctor/husband Jim) The tiptop tips-earners!!
"Sarah Palin" and "Lance Armstrong's slightly older brother" discuss her 2012 campaign...
"Hyacinth Bucket" ("It's pronounced bouquet!") and Karen Flynn consult on the menu for one of Hyacinth's elegant candlelit dinners for her guests!
Mesi anpil (a whole pile of thank you's!) to all who made this event possible: the waiters, the kitchen staff (especially chef Joe Capobianco), the guests, the helpers, and the Federated Church Mission's Committee!
Lowell Quilt Festival
sponsored by The New England Quilt Museum
The New England Quilt Museum selected Peacequilts as one of their featured exhibits, and the quilts were very enthusiastically received by all!
Read all about it!
Sunday Boston Globe - Northwest Edition
Taunton Daily Gazette
"Nurse Feelgood" and "Sr. Mary Major Minor" entertain their diners as they work for tips. It's all in good fun as they raise money for PeaceQuilts.
It was a rollicking evening of fun, food and entertainment at the Second Annual Celebrity Waiters Dinner at the Edgartown Federated Church, Edgartown, MA sponsored by the Missions Committee. Waiters worked "hard for the money" as they schlepped food and drink, entertained with songs, provided relaxing neck messages...whatever it took to earn those tips! All proceeds were donated to help PeaceQuilts continue enabling impoverished Haitians earn a living with dignity.
More photos from the 2009 Celebrity Waiters Dinner fundraiser.
And the winner is..."Nurse Feelgood" and her assistant "Dr. McDreamy"!! (AKA Pam Butterick and real-life doctor/husband Jim) The tiptop tips-earners!!
"Sarah Palin" and "Lance Armstrong's slightly older brother" discuss her 2012 campaign...
"Hyacinth Bucket" ("It's pronounced bouquet!") and Karen Flynn consult on the menu for one of Hyacinth's elegant candlelit dinners for her guests!
Mesi anpil (a whole pile of thank you's!) to all who made this event possible: the waiters, the kitchen staff (especially chef Joe Capobianco), the guests, the helpers, and the Federated Church Mission's Committee!
Lowell Quilt Festival
sponsored by The New England Quilt Museum
The New England Quilt Museum selected Peacequilts as one of their featured exhibits, and the quilts were very enthusiastically received by all!
Read all about it!
Sunday Boston Globe - Northwest Edition
Taunton Daily Gazette
More Photos from the Festival
A display board explains the Peacequilts project. Festival-goers were directed to the New England Quilt Museum information booth for Peacequilts literature, sign-up sheet, and information on how to purchase a quilt from our website.
A display board explains the Peacequilts project. Festival-goers were directed to the New England Quilt Museum information booth for Peacequilts literature, sign-up sheet, and information on how to purchase a quilt from our website.
Extra, Extra!
Rhonda Galpern, Outreach Coordinator for the New England Quilt Museum, has purchased "La Nuit" to use in her outreach programs! She says that she loves the unique design, and especially the effective use of black as a background. We are delighted that this quilt will serve as an ambassador to a wide-ranging audience, and will charmingly illustrate the creativity, skills and determination of our talented Haitian students!
Rhonda Galpern, Outreach Coordinator for the New England Quilt Museum, has purchased "La Nuit" to use in her outreach programs! She says that she loves the unique design, and especially the effective use of black as a background. We are delighted that this quilt will serve as an ambassador to a wide-ranging audience, and will charmingly illustrate the creativity, skills and determination of our talented Haitian students!
