Guest teacher Vera Doherty is an award-winning textile artist and teacher from Ireland, specializing in quilt-making, costume-set design and mural painting. Vera, whose works have been exhibited in Europe, India and the United States, resides in Jersey City on a prestigious O-1 visa for artistic excellence and currently works in three Bronx public schools teaching art to students aged five to 14. Vera also spends her Friday afternoons at the Irish Community Center in Queens helping senior citizens make quilts.
Here’s my approach to quilt-making; I Create fabric paintings through the utilization of textile means, methods and materials. My aim is to produce a contemporary, fun take on traditional quilt patterns by playing with and manipulating new and found fabrics. I draw inspiration from African American quilt makers by juxtaposing riotous colors and patterns while moving beyond the parameters of conventional quilt structures. I allow the meditative nature of repetition in quilt-making to inform and inspire my creative process. Each and every project evolves significantly from original concept to completion and I celebrate this.
Vera has 10 years of experience in formal and non-formal educational settings incorporating a range of visual art practices. As a teaching artist, her methods are simple: to facilitate learning in a fun, positive and safe environment where emphasis is placed on inclusion and the quality of the artistic experience. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with you.