1
Mayo Clin Proc. • September 2009;84(9):848 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com 848 ART AT MAYO CLINIC The Mayo Clinic Arizona 20th Anniversary Quilt D r Renee E. Caswell, an anesthesiologist at Mayo Clinic Arizona, is a self-taught quilter who developed her sew- ing skills during her teen years. Continued experience and a gifted eye for detail prompted her vision for Mayo Clinic Anni- versary Quilt. The quilt was conceived as part of the recognition of the 20th Anniversary of Mayo Clinic Arizona and Mayo’s Humanities in Medicine program. Caswell enlisted Denise A. Currier, a quilt artist from Chandler, AZ, and a team of Mayo Clinic Arizona employee volunteers, including Fran Breazeale, Lisa Hamilton, Susanna Murphy, and Verna Roller, to begin the 2-year odyssey to create the anniversary quilt. Although the origins of quilting cannot be pinpointed to any one culture or historical era, its roots can be traced as far back as 3400 bc, as depicted in ivory carvings of the first Egyptian dynasty, and quilting was thought to have been brought from the East to the West through the Crusades. 1 Virtually every culture that developed textile arts discovered through function the added value of plying layers of fabric together for increased warmth, protection, and durability. 1 Quilting appears to be an art form that adheres to the “form follows function” concept. In the Japanese culture, the pres- ervation of old fabrics was seen as a spiritual exercise. 1 Taking these concepts to their highest levels in the pres- ervation of Mayo Clinic traditions, Caswell’s brainstorming, coordinated with Currier and the team, inspired the creation of this 13 × 5-foot quilt that encompasses the core values and traditions of Mayo Clinic. The main panel, using 3 concentric circles, subjectively depicts the triple shield logo for clinical practice, research, and education. A Mayo Clinic Proceedings journal cover graces the research circle. Caswell, Currier, and team followed an intense process using hand-dyed batik cloth and encompassing patchwork (stitching smaller pieces together to create a larger piece), appliqué (ap- plying figures and designs such as embroidery over the top of a quilted piece), and trapunto (a whole cloth process that produces a raised surface on the quilt) quilting techniques. Set against a blazing Arizona skyline, the details of the quilt include lifelike cactus spines, pearl-beaded tuning pegs on the guitar, 3-dimen- sions in the flora and fauna, vibrant color, and, on close inspec- tion, depth and texture. Each representation is symbolic and has a wonderful point of reference or an accompanying story. The quilt has been on tour to several Mayo Clinic sites and will have a permanent home in the Specialty Building at Mayo Clinic Arizona. The photography art, by Denise and David Currier, of the entire quilt is available online. 1. de Develyn K. A collection of notes on the historical aspects of quilting. www.kateryndedevelyn.org/Quilting.pdf. Accessed July 29, 2008. In recognition of the important part that art has had in the Mayo Clinic environment since the original Mayo Clinic building was finished in 1914, the Mayo Clinic Proceedings will feature some of the numerous works of art displayed throughout the buildings on the Mayo Clinic campuses. Written by Margaret R. Wentz, BA. © 2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings a .
