This was not the view from my hotel window in Lowell--I overlooked the parking lot. But it didn't matter too much because I spent most of my time out and about with old and new friends enjoying their company and enjoying all that Lowell had to offer as part of their Quilt Festival. There were some wonderful quilts on display at the New England Quilt Museum that have been documented by the New Hampshire Quilt Project. The "Images" quilt show was held at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Of course I enjoyed checking out all the vendors.
Perhaps the biggest reason for my visit to Lowell was to see my work Noontime Gate (16 3/4" x 19 3/4") at the Brush Gallery, where I am fortunate to have it included in the exhibit "Art Quilts Lowell 2007." It looked great under the gallery lights, which made the silk shimmer and the beads really sparkle. I brought the silk back from Vietnam a couple years ago. This piece refers to the Ngo Mon Gate, which is the principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure in the Citadel in Hue.
Here it is in situ, and you can see that the opening was very well attended.
Around town, Lowell's ARTventure Public Art Program provided artwork in response to various historic locations. There were dresses along the canal in the Lucy Larcom Park that honored the history of the mill girls.
And there was this over-sized dress specifically honoring Lucy Larcom, the most well-known mill girl. Words from Larcom's writings are printed on the apron.
The Revolving Museum is housed in the Light and Gas Company headquarters built in 1859. There were matzoh walls in the kitchen (check out Rayna's blog for photos), but I was particularly taken, er, frightened, by these gnomes that surprised me after I went into a dimly lit room behind two sets of big curtains.
Of course spending time with friends meant discovering new menus. The favorite spot for breakfast was the Owl Diner where I ate in one meal what could sustain me for the whole day.
But there was always dinner to consider, and it was fabulous, too. This is an appetizer from Riccardo's, a wonderful Italian restaurant. (The local French restaurant was great, too.) It's not just salad, but fried olives stuffed with Asiago cheese with a little balsamic vinegar dressing. Yummmmm.Despite the heat, and it was HOT, I had a great time in Lowell. Old friends, new friends, art, quilts, food. We laughed, we cried. I'm so lucky.
