Industry News- From Quilting for Survival to Paying it Forward

The Gaspays are quite the inspiration mother-son combo. Their hobby? The thread that holds them together? Quilting. Yes, they love to quilt among their friends and share their latest projects at their monthly quilting group, but this time the impact is even larger.  Starting tomorrow, their "Fiber Structure" is hanging on the walls of an old, war memorial, opera house which is currently the site of The San Fransisco Art Commission's Main Gallery.

San Francisco artist Mik Gaspay and his mother, May Gaspay, collaborated on the site-specific installation “Fiber Structure.” Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

You see, this moment is truly monumental because life wasn't always this way for Ms. Gaspay. Decades ago, she immigrated from the Phillippines to the United States. Her quilts were not as ornate or gathering the attention of the public eye like they are today, however, they were keeping her and her four children warm. Gaspay could not afford much but would buy different pieces of fabric here and there which in fact, truly mirrors the roots of patchwork quilting. Mrs. Gaspay did not have a lot of money but instead possessed a lot of passion and love for quilting, which she knew could be utilized to provide for her family. 

San Francisco artist Mik Gaspay and his mother, May Gaspay, install a quilt at the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Main Gallery. Photo: Yalonda M. James, The Chronicle

Today, she is providing joy to all who will walk the halls of the opera house with her son by her side. A light will shine upon the rich history that once lived there. But even more so,  Ms. Gaspay will inspire others. Those who walk among the halls may be quilters, artists, or simply a passerby, but they will hear the Gaspay's story and know how quilting carried them through the hard times. Who knows vast the impact will be.

Read the Full Article on the Gaspays Here

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 Do you have a story of how your quilts have impacted others? Or maybe, someone's quilt has impacted you? Sound off and let us know in the comment section below!