PHOTO/EVELYN DOW
Quilting’s focus on community and expression has kept Jean Bertschmann involved with the art form for 40 years. “[Quilts] are often a community vehicle,” she said. “They’ve been used to raise awareness, to raise money [and] to protest.” A Marathon Quilters Guild member, she helped develop and lead the creation of Go the Distance, a collaborative quilt project between the eight Boston Marathon communities. It will be displayed at the New England Quilt Museum later this year. “What I really enjoy the most is providing some kind of a tactile experience for other people,” Bertschmann said of the commemorative quilts she makes.
The Arts Residency, sponsored by realtor Alan Connell, is a regular Hopkinton Independent feature. Every other week, Hopkinton Independent staff selects an individual to highlight following consultation with leaders in the local arts community.
The “Go the Distance” Quilt is on display now thru 9/26/26 at the New England Quilt Museum. https://www.neqm.org/
For more information on the quilt, please see the Marathon Quilt Guild website: https://marathonquilters.com/BostonMarathonQuiltProject.html
Enjoy!
I had the absolute pleasure of seeing this beautiful quilt in person and have to say the photos do not do it justice! The detail that went in to each panel and the hours spent putting it all together left me in awe. Jean and the entire marathon quilt guild are so talented! You have to see this work of art in person if you have a chance!