Environmental Event in Houston – 6-5-2026
Thanks and welcome to all of the new subscribers to my blog!
There is a lot going on in my personal, business, and artist life right now.
However I want to catch you up on the trip I recently made to Houston. I was invited to give my power point lecture on “Art and Activism” as the keynote speaker for the Citizens Environment Coalition, comprised of over 100 environmental non-profit groups in Houston and around Texas. This took place on World Environment Day. I brought 5 of my environmental-themed art quilts to display.
You may know that the company I founded with my husband Paul – eQuilter.com – has raised over $2 million for a variety of non-profits…including the NASA chapter of Engineers Without Borders. I was delighted that a delegation of EWB members showed up for my presentation.
You may have noticed that I make quilts with a message, and a story. I have 2 wolf quilts traveling now, and 2 bear quilts as well. (One of the wolf quilts is at the New England Quilt Museum, and the other at the Texas Quilt Museum.) I am very concerned about the Hunting Lobby pressuring states to wipe out keystone species like wolves and bears, often with killing contests or lifting of Environmental Species protections. So I was also delighted that several executives from wolf protection non-profits attended a dinner the night I arrived, and also my presentation. I am following up with several of them to plan future collaborations.
Many thanks to Nicole Cloutier and everyone who helped to make this event happen!
The reason I share this with you is to pass on the message that all of you have a voice, and you can pick the causes that are close to your heart, to speak up and take action…and make activist art!
As artists we have a SUPER POWER. We can say things with images, that often cannot be expressed with words. We can pluck heartstrings with our artwork, and deliver a message that will go home with the viewers, and give them something to think about. If you are frustrated about the state of the country, or the world, put your thoughts and feelings into a work of art. You will feel a sense of catharsis as you create the work, and you will be surprised how many people are moved by your message. I was delighted to meet a young artist at this event who shares my concern over Ocelots on the Texas border, and we spoke about an Ocelot collaboration.
The night before I flew to Houston, I finished the piece that I started in April at Alegre Retreat. I have entered this piece in the Birmingham Festival of Quilts. Here is my “Deity of the Forest” bear quilt that will be in Houston this year, and “First Light” going to Birmingham. These are the last 2 pieces I finished in my studio, before packing it up next week, and moving to a new studio space in the near future this summer.
The piece on the left was inspired by an eye-to-eye experience I had with a mother brown bear in the remote Alaskan forest. A celestial being or shaman of the forest.
When I made the quilt on the right, I was thinking about the First Day of Spring when the trees are waking up and the bears are coming out of hibernation. I was also thinking of all the women who are hiding in war zones, and the joyful day when the wars are over and they can come out into the light of day. This is another quilt that is essentially a prayer for Peace.
I hope I have given you some ideas and inspiration for your own textile art with a message.
Peace,
Luana
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