Togo RPCV Hollis Chatelain uses Quilting as an Educational Tool
Hollis Chatelain
The University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin Arts Board focused on integrating the arts into education recently at the First Annual Conference on Arts, Curriculum, and Community. The two-day conference at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center addressed how quilts and quilting can be used to enhance education for learners of all ages.
"I am a firm believer in using arts as a teaching tool across curriculums," event organizer Nancy Blake said. "Quilting is a great example of that. It [can be used to teach] math, science, language arts, art concepts, and storytelling."
A New Day
The event brought together educators, historians, quilters, and community members for a variety of workshops and social opportunities focused on the art of quilting. Presenters included quilters, quilt scholars, and educators who use quilting in their classrooms to enhance the learning experience.
Presenter Hollis Chatelain is an internationally acclaimed textile artist who uses her quilts to inspire and educate. Chatelain was born and raised in Pennsylvania but has spent most of her adult life in Switzerland and Africa. She first moved to Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. She stayed there 12 years, working for various humanitarian organizations in four West African countries.
Rolling Toys
Chatelain first became interested in textile art in Africa, where she was inspired by the richness and beauty of African fabrics. She now uses her art to teach about global issues and to educate about other cultures. One of her most recent pieces, "Precious Water," depicts the use of water in hopes of highlighting the crisis of droughts in countries across the globe. Chatelain says there are 1.4 billion people in the world who do not have access to fresh water.
"In my work, I am trying to bring a message about people that live in another part of the world," Chatelain said. "Quilting brings people together ... Education through quilts is a wonderful idea."
