THE GLASS FARM – A BLANK CANVAS

An Interactive Art Quilt Map Experience

By Chris Zurbuchen

Sponsored by Yellow Springs Arts Council

Alcove Gallery

Antioch University Midwest

900 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387

September 6 – October 22, 2018

M-Th 9-9   F 9-5 Closed Sat and Sun

RECEPTION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 5 -8 PM

GLASS FARM?  The Glass Farm is a 45-acre property owned by the Village of Yellow Springs and within its corporation boundaries.  It was originally farmed by the Glass family.  The eastern eight acres abutting King Street holds a storm-water retention basin converted to a wetlands by an industrious beaver family and now protected by Clean Ohio grant managed by Tecumseh Land Trust.  The western eleven acres is the site of a solar array generating approximately 5% of electricity used by Yellow Springs.  The balance of the property is currently in the public dialogue as a possible site for affordable housing, but final determination of use has not been made.  Hence, my quilt is a timely endeavor!  Oh, and the Glass Farm is adjacent to my backyard.  Fall 1997, I was elected to Village Council  opposing the then current affordable housing plan.  Opposition was due primarily to the lack of a development plan for the entire 45-acre property.

The idea for this quilt map came about from a juxtaposition of three events during March 2017: 

1. Greene County Planning Commission report for YS Village Council, “Development Factors and Possibilities for the Glass Farm” while I served as an alternate on YS Planning Commission
2. the gift of a book from a fellow quilter, Art Quilt Maps by Valerie S. Goodwin
3. finding a blank canvas frame curbside on King Street across from the Glass Farm, hence “the Glass Farm, a blank canvas.” 

This art quilt map, “Map Meld,” is my contribution to facilitate public discussion.  Fall 2018 seemed an appropriate time to present this art quilt map as a colorful, fun, interactive design board for villagers to suggest ideas for the development of this property.  The Interactive Experience part takes place when visitors place fabric, coded by the map’s legend, on the design board, take a picture of their design, and post it to a social media page.  During Fall 2017, I mentioned the art quilt map concept to Nancy Mellon of YS Arts Council, who said, “Do it!” and the Alcove Gallery was available!  What an opportunity!

I learned to sew from my mother, then high school home economics and 4-H.  I made my wedding dress and attendants’ dresses in 1967.  Work life interfered with sewing until I saw an art quilt show at the Dayton Metro Library in 2011.  “That’s what I want to do!”  I retired 2012 and joined Miami Valley Art Quilt Network.   I study monthly with MVAQN, learning new techniques and honing my quilting skills. 

I’m retired and enjoy quilting, gardening, hiking, traveling and I love maps:  old maps & new maps.  Upon arrival in a new city, I get the local transit system map to find how to explore the new location.  When reading the Green Co report, “Development…”, I was taken by the colorful maps and how well they would translate into an art quilt! 

I requested permission to use the maps and Greene County Planning Commission graciously sent me the map image as a .jpg file.  I sent Map 3 to Spoonflower, a company that reproduces images on fabric.  The finished size is 51”x41” (4′ 3” x  3′ 5”).  The top fabric is 100% cotton, batting is cotton flannel, back fabric is muslin.  Map segments were raw-edged applique with cotton and polyester embroidery thread.  Lot lines were drawn with Inktense pencils.  The quilt is hung by three short board segments rather than a long pole as the Alcove Gallery exhibit wall is slightly curved.  A pocket on the back side of the flannel holds a foam core board.  I use sewing machine embellishments for quilting on Singer Confidence 7470.