VSA Tennessee Presents International Quilt

By Grace Robinson, Communications Intern –

Over the past year, VSA Tennessee spearheaded an international exchange between various countries and states within the U.S. to create a beautiful quilt representing the unity found in art among people with disabilities.

On May 5, 2015, the completed quilt was first presented at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). The quilt is made up of individual squares that were created with different mediums by people throughout the world with disabilities. Under the coordination of Lori Kissinger, VSA Tennessee Executive Director, these pieces were then shipped to MTSU and quilted into one united piece by a varying team led by Dr. Lauren Rudd, Assistant Professor of Textiles, Merchandising and Design at MTSU.

This project was part of  VSA’s 40 Days Around the World Digital Arts Festival. It will be presented as a culminating piece at a reception in Washington, D.C. on July 24. Student Meghan Maynard will present the quilt to Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith who will then introduce it into the Arts in Embassies program. As part of this program, the quilt will continue to be exhibited in U.S. Embassies throughout the world.

Watch this video to learn more on the Digital Festival, and click here to follow the festivities.