Mary L. Hackett

As a studio fiber artist living and working in Southern Illinois, I have deep roots in quiltmaking, and I believe that innovation is the soul of quilt tradition.

My current work centers on worldly landscapes and landscapes of the soul. The former, surprisingly realistic portrayals of my local surroundings, are as appealing and approachable as paintings. The latter works, life-size figures and pieced abstracts, often employs photo-imaging and spontaneous construction techniques. My work hangs in private and public collections around the United States and Japan and has received recognition locally and nationally.

My quilted fiber pieces have been displayed in numerous juried shows, invitationals and art exhibits from coast to coast, including A World of Beauty, Houston, TX; Pacific International Quilt Festival, Palm Springs, CA; Schweinfurth Art Center, Auburn, NY; Southern Illinois Art Gallery, Whittington, IL; Art St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; and the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, San Jose, CA; to name a few.

Images of my work have been published in several magazines and six books, and I have been the subject of feature articles in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, Quilting International, American Quilter, TAS Newsletter, and others. As an occasional contributor to various magazines, I write articles on techniques, inspiration, and professional topics. My 8-by-8-foot piece entitled "Fear of the Dark" is in the permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum (formerly known as the Museum of the American Quilter's Society), Paducah, KY, and I have presented four one-woman shows of my work.

In 2004 AQS published A Bridge to Landscape Quilts, my first book. It has been reviewed in The Midwest Book Review and British Patchwork & Quilting. A bit of philosophy and a lot of quiltmaking, I hope it is also a feast for the eyes. I am currently working on another book at my own leisurely pace.

Having taught art to kindergarten through sixth grade and innovative techniques to people of all ages, I enjoy helping to bring out the creativity I feel is hidden in everyone. I currently do commissioned pieces for private homes and public spaces, teach and write.