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Quilt Artist, Ellie Kreneck, 2015. Photo courtesy Ellie Kreneck.
Art Quilts Enter the Collection of the Museum of Texas Tech University
By Marian Ann J. Montgomery, Ph.D.,
Curator of Clothing and Textiles, the Museum of Texas Tech University
Generous donations by Ellie Kreneck of her West Texas art quilts as well as the recent purchase of a quilted Haori coat by Yvonne Porcella form the base of what is hoped will be a growing collection of Art Quilts in the Museum’s Collection. While it is difficult to collect pieces that haven’t yet stood the test of time, it is important to acquire these pieces while artists are still alive to provide information about their creations.
Yvonne Porcella taught around the country but had a particular impact while teaching in 2007 at the Museum of Texas Tech University as part of the programing centered around a traveling exhibit from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. After accessing the talent in the class, Yvonne encouraged the formation of a West Texas chapter of the Studio Art Quilters Association (SAQA) and in particular the work of artist Ellie Kreneck, with whom she had an ongoing dialogue.
Mary Faces Morning Housework by Ellie Kreneck, Gift of Ellie Kreneck, TTU-H2015-083.
This piece surely describes how many quilters feel facing housework as opposed to getting to their sewing machines.
Photo courtesy Museum of Texas Tech University.
Ellie Kreneck’s quilts have since been featured in SAQA exhibits at the Houston International Quilt Festival and also SAQA traveling exhibits. With her strong ties to Lubbock and Texas Tech University, Ellie’s donation of two of two works was especially desired for the Museum’s collection. Her quilts reflect a love of the West Texas landscape in their coloring, but also her wit and strong Catholic faith, something she shared with Yvonne.
Glimpses of China with St. Francis by Ellie Kreneck, Gift of Ellie Kreneck, TTU-H2016-060.
Recently returned from a study trip to China, the constellation features a dragon-like figure rising as a phoenix.
The red pick-up truck and jackrabbit make regular appearances in Ellie Kreneck’s work.
She thinks of the jackrabbit as her alter ego. Photo courtesy Museum of Texas Tech University.
The Caprock Art Quilters, which Ellie Kreneck was central to forming at Yvonne’s encouragement, celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2007 with an exhibit at the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas that same year. The strength of the Caprock Art Quilters is also reflected in the pieces that compete at the Dallas Quilt Show and are juried into Houston.
To honor their early mentor, individuals from the group came together to provide the funds to acquire a piece by Yvonne Porcella.The Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee quilted haori was inspired by a circus quilt book given to her by Karey Bresenhan as a rememberance. Yvonne had been scheduled to teach at a local quilt shop, but instead was confinded to her hotel room for three days due to a hurricane, until the roads were cleared.
Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee quilted haori by Yvonne Porcella, 1992.
Purchase give of individuals of the Caprock Art Quilters, TTU-H2016-084-001.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Texas Tech University.
Not only is the Museum pleased to have such strong pieces as the foundation for building an art quilt collection to complement the antique quilts in the collection, but also the stories of how this movement came to West Texas. As is so often the case, the efforts of one person ripple and can be seen to this day.
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