Quilt Visions – finally!
Earlier in the year, I entered Quilt Visions 2010: No Boundaries, an exhibition of art quilts that will be on display October 24th – March 13, 2011 at the Oceanside Museum of Art in California.
I have never been accepted into that show despite years of trying. I briefly looked through some of my files to see if I could find the year I received my first rejection letter from them. No luck, which is in all likelihood because I tossed it. Having enough rejection letter to cover a wall can get a bit depressing.
This time around I entered two works: “Circles Collide,” which won an award at the IQA show in Houston, and “It’s Time,” a piece I finished right before the deadline and which I made specifically to enter into the show. My thinking was if it wasn’t accepted, which I suspected it wouldn’t be, I’d enter it into other venues.
This past rainy Saturday afternoon, I received in the mail a “fat” envelope from Visions. “It’s Time” was accepted. I cried. My red, blotchy face made my husband cry. My business partner was on iChat/video with me and he started to tear up. It’s absolutely silly to let a show have such weight, but it does. There were only 40 works selected from 600 entered. Clearly very low odds. I am absolutely thrilled that this time around the jurors saw something in my work that made it appropriate for their selection.
After posting my acceptance on the QuiltArt list, I received emails from others. Some were also accepted, and thrilled. Others shared they had tears, but because they didn’t make it. Even with the full knowledge that the jurying process is extremely subjective, I feel their pain.
Another artist from a group I’m in shared a quote from a Lancaster County, PA newspaper. In an article interviewing Olympic skater Johnny Weir (who lives there), he was asked, “What does winning an Olympic medal mean to you?”
He replied, “Figure skating medals aren’t won by a stopwatch or number of goals scored. We’re judged by strangers. I can’t control winning a medal. What I can control is competing to the best of my ability and leaving a piece of my soul on the ice. That’s what’s important to me – leaving my soul and opening my heart for my fans. An Olympic medal would be icing on top of my cake, but in no way does a medal define me. I define myself.”
I offer this for other artists who didn’t make the Visions show. And I’ll keep it here because later in the year I’m going to enter Quilt National, another show my work has never been accepted into.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Congratulations, Gloria–that’s fantastic!
March 15th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Thanks Cindy!
March 15th, 2010 at 11:31 am
congratulations gloria! wish i could visit the exhibition…
March 15th, 2010 at 11:39 am
I am so happy for you. And thanks for the words of encouragement.
March 15th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
I have no doubt I put my best work forward, but will continue to hope for the right time and place.
March 15th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I’ve no doubt either. Your work is fantastic.
March 15th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
I never in a million years thought I’d compare myself to Johnny Weir. His words, though, are very true. I did open my heart this time… maybe next time it will work.
Congratulations to you, Gloria. You deserve this honor! Rock on!
March 15th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Thanks Elizabeth. :)
March 16th, 2010 at 12:36 am
Congratulations, Gloria–you deserve it!!
March 16th, 2010 at 8:07 am
I saw your post on FB and again I want to say a well deserved “Congratulations!!” I entered Visions also, for the first time, but did not get in this time. Your success shows that perseverance is so important. I actually do keep my rejection letters to give some perspective and keep myself humble. You have developed your work into such a distinctive style and I admire that. I aim for that someday too! Well, enough rambling! I am truly happy for you and for all the accepted artists.
March 16th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Many congratulations, Gloria! It’s hard to keep trying despite rejection, but sometimes it’s the only way.
March 16th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Thanks again everyone. Martha, perseverance runs high. If it didn’t, I’d be in trouble as I’ve had a mega amount of rejections over the years.
March 16th, 2010 at 10:54 am
I’m doin’ the happy dance right along side you!!! You ARE coming to the reception, aren’t you???
March 16th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Thanks Jane. For those that don’t know, Ms. Jane LaFazio work was also accepted into Visions! Jane, I’m going to do my best to get to that reception, and I’m looking forward to finally meeting you!
March 16th, 2010 at 11:42 am
Congrats again, Gloria!
Prophetic name for your piece….
see you there I hope :D
Betty
March 16th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Great news, Gloria! I’m so happy for you.
March 19th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
CONGRATULATIONS. What an honor and a joy. I look forward to seeing the exhibit. I admit I took a year off from submitting work/getting rejections. But your example will help me get back up on my pony and ride.
March 19th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Yes, keep trying!! :)
March 26th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
I got to see one of your quilts in person today at the Sewing and Quilt Expo in Cleveland. Beautiful! I’m very sure that this honor is well deserved!