Gloucester Community Quilts at the Cape Ann Museum
By Deborah Simmerman
Recently I took the train up to Gloucester to see the Gloucester community quilts at the Cape Ann Museum. I love the Cape Ann Museum, which so beautifully evokes the special qualities of Cape Ann, my home from 1975 to 1985 and a place I will always love deeply. The amazing Cape Ann light is the first thing I notice whenever I go back, and as soon as I got off the train, I was struck by it once again.
At the museum I had the light-filled second floor gallery all to myself as I encountered the stunning exhibition of quilts representing Gloucester’s very diverse neighborhoods, made by seniors at the Rose Baker Senior Center in Gloucester. I am lost in admiration for Juni Van Dyke, the Art Director at the senior center who led this project over the past nine years. She must be the most amazing art educator. Under her direction, these women in their later years, and a few men I gather, have created something of lasting value, thirteen quilts about their neighborhoods, which have now been donated and accepted into the permanent collection of the Cape Ann Museum. I can imagine the enormous satisfaction they must feel for having been part of the years-long effort of this collaborative creative process and now seeing the fruits of their labor of love in the museum.
Top photo courtesy the Cape Ann Museum
Good Morning Gloucester 
These Gloucester quilts, which embody the city’s spirit, are wonderful. I do hope each quilter is recognized for her/his abilities; we love their dedication and expertise. I especially love the greasy pole quilt, unique to Gloucester, of course. You guys rock!
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The quilts are magnificent and I hope everyone makes time to see them in the beautiful exhibit hall at the Cape Ann Museum. I wonder if any school field trips are planned around the exhibit? Will have to find out about that.
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