Guild’s 30th Anniversary Page

GAAQG original members who attended the guild’s thirtieth anniversary celebration Jan. 21, 2017 at WCC in Ann Arbor: Carolyn Krone in blue, Glenna Schweitzer in plum, Carol Wineman in purple, Naoma Jenks in pink, Jean Coleman in white, Marti Keefe in dark blue and stipe, Fran Wicks in argyle, Carol Spaly in yellow turtleneck, Nancy Strong in black. Of this group, Carol Spaly was a member of the 1986 organizational team that founded the GAAQG.

30th Anniversary Post

by Linda Theil
January 26, 2017

Approximately 200 Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild members and guests attended the guild’s thirtieth anniversary celebration on January 21, 2017 at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor.

Nine members who attended the guild’s very first meeting on January 31, 1987 were honored at the event. They are: Carolyn Krone, Glenna Schweitzer, Carol Wineman, Naoma Jenks, Jean Coleman, Marti Keefe, Fran Wicks, Carol Spaly, and Nancy Strong. Current GAAQG president, Kathy Johnson, delivered a fascinating presentation of the history of the guild during the celebration. The presentation is available online at “GAAQG 30th Anniversary”.

During a short business meeting President Johnson and outgoing trustee Marilyn Knepp presided over the election of executive board officers, and the adoption of amendments to the guild’s articles of incorporation and revision to guild bylaws. These changes were necessary to address the electronic nature of the way the guild currently conducts business.

2017 officers are:

Kathy Johnson, president
Susan Schwandt, vice-president for programs
Erika Keith, vice-president for membership
Roberta Myyra, secretary
Claudia Tam, treasurer

Sonja Hagen honored

In a gesture of appreciation for her outstanding work as president of the GAAQG for the past two years, the outgoing board presented Past-president Sonja Hagen with a handmade “kaleidoscope” quilt.

Marilyn Knepp thanked Hagen and highlighted some of her outstanding accomplishments including the new guild website, weblog, and FaceBook page; chairing the guild quilt show; and leading the board with a focus on cutting expenses but preserving the value of guild offerings.

In conclusion, Knepp said, “What else do you do to recognize a quilter? You make her a quilt!”

Hagen accepted with thanks, “[Serving as president] was truly an honor and a privilege; I am thankful for the opportunity. That list [of accomplishments] is only impressive because of the huge number of people who were there to support and contribute.”

Marilyn Knepp (right) representing the 2016 GAAQG board presents outgoing president Sonja Hagen (center) with a “kaleidoscope” quilt.

Tina Turner and Katy Perry, AKA Wanda Nash and Katy McGrath, announce Quilt University 2017 registration opens March 2017.

Save the date for QU 2017

Special guests Tina Turner and Katy Perry, AKA Wanda Nash and Katie McGrath, organizers of GAAQG Quilt University 2017, suggested everyone put QU dates on their calendars and make lodging plans now for the weekend of July 28-29-30, 2017. Registration for QU 2017 classes and events will be announced at the March 18, 2017 guild meeting and will be available on the GAAQG website after the March meeting.

Joe Cunningham discusses his quilt, “Michigan Winter” with assistance from Kathy Johnson and Carol Makielski at Jan. 21, 2017 guild meeting at WCC in Ann Arbor.

Joe Cunningham!

Musician, artist and quiltmaker Joe Cunningham was the featured presenter at the January 21, 2017 meeting. He regaled the audience with stories from his life as a quilt artist and research from his book Men and the Art of Quiltmaking (AQS, 2010).