The art of quilting

By Megan Maynard

We at STPS are always inspired by our wonderful community, and Margaret Krippner is no exception. As one of more than 4,000 members of the Studio Art Quilters Associates (SAQA), her work promotes the art quilt. Margaret quips that her business card calls her a “fiber artist,” but most would refer to her as a quilter.

On par with the 2020 pandemic, the SAQA worldwide conference had to be held virtually. The organization is hoping to have an in-person conference in St. Petersburg in 2022. As part of the preparation for this year’s virtual conference, there was a call for quilts from Florida. The theme was “Floridian Flavors: Characters, Culture, and Cuisine.” Another focus was true Floridians — those who were born and raised residents of the state.

Margaret had the ingenious idea to shed light on Brevard’s true resident: sea turtles. Having found STPS, she reached out and received permission to use photos in order to make her sea-turtle inspired quilt. Her goal was to illustrate the sea turtle’s life cycle starting with the mother laying her eggs. Then just prior to the 2020 lockdown, Margaret was taking a watercolor workshop, which led to a bit of colorful inspiration of the hatchlings. Finally, she added hikers watching the hatchlings to complete the theme. Margaret admits that when it comes to quilting, her original idea often evolves during the process, and she eventually completes her story in fabric.

Her quilt was accepted into the exhibition and will be on display at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs, FL, through Aug. 15, 2021. It will then be on display in the Court House Cultural Center Gallery in Stuart, FL, from Jan. 11, 2022, through Feb. 26, 2022. She is hoping the quilt sells, and all of the proceeds will go to the Sea Turtle Preservation Society!