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Mike Smith, co-founder of The NAMES Project Foundation, discusses the inspirational power of The AIDS Memorial Quilt
“Yo-Yo Queen” Marquetta Bell-Johnson recounts the power of quilting to transform tragedy into celebration
Gert McMullin and Jada Harris of The NAMES Project Foundation share stories of serendipity that surround The AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Gert McMullin is a living legend in AIDS Memorial Quilt lore for likely having touched nearly every single panel in it.
Visitors' eyes seemed to fall immediately on the Orphan Tower, a ten-foot high structure of dangling dolls, each artfully and intricately fashioned by South African bead-workers.
“It all began when my uncle’s wife fell sick, but she told everyone that she had cancer. But sure enough, she passed away a few months later.”
Over the past two weeks, a Quilting Bee workshop has sprung up under a tent, dedicated to helping the public create 3′ x 6′ panels to add to The AIDS Memorial Quilt.
“Creativity activates. Without creativity life can be quite harsh.”
At quilt shows and guild meetings around the United States, quilters perform bed turnings to share the stories about the quilts and the experience of making them.
The first panels of The AIDS Memorial Quilt were sewn in San Francisco in 1987.