Much like the Canada Geese crossing a dangerous curve on the highway I will present a touchy subject today:
While teaching at QBL one of my students shared, as she described it, “a funny experience”. The situation she presented was this: She had recently entered a notable quilt show that is coming to Syracuse, NY momentarily. Her quilt was rejected which did not surprised her at the time. She didn’t give it another thought until last week when she received an email invitation to visit the upcoming quilt show. The invitation (click here to see this invitation) is clear, creates excitement and features a number of images. Do click on the link now and take note of the square image of a traditional quilt. This is the quilt image the class participant submitted, was rejected but suddenly it is “good enough” or better yet, “perfect” to be used in the advertisement of the show… Also note: No credit is given for any of the images!
This experience is a strong reminder to carefully read submission guidelines always. We tried to access the entry information during class but were unable to do so.
This experience also begs the question whether there were sufficient submissions to this show. One would expect that the organizer and person in charge of publicity and advertising would have a wide range of images on hand of those quilts that were actually juried into the show. With mounting reports of copyright infringement and the repercussions associated when caught this is not acceptable.
Are we going back to the times when the term “quilter” conjures up images of ladies with caps, holding hoops, rocking in a chair by the window while quilting? I am interested in your thoughts, opinions and personal insights!
Anna Hergert, Art & Design 
How terrible! So glad you posted about it. And it was wonderful to get real hugs from you last week
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Thanks for weighing in, Emily! And yes, it was wonderful to connect in person last week.
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What outrageous behavior on the part of AQS. I actually don’t think it’s funny at all. I wonder if she has any recourse at all.
It was wonderful to see you and to be able to catch up a little! Wish we could have spent more time together!
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Alice – we were all outraged about this, hence my post about this yesterday! I didn’t think it was funny either and I have heard from others privately. We shall see where it will go once the person affected has contacted the organization. I promise to keep everyone informed!
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This is unacceptable. Maybe a word in the ear of one of the sponsors would be a good idea.
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An excellent suggestion!
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We need to keep bombarding information on copyright at the guild level.
I visited 3 small, guild quilt shows so far this year. In each one there were quilts which were obviously patterns. There was no information about the pattern, or the designer.
I even entered a guild quilt show stating that my art quilt was ‘inspired by a workshop that I took with ……”. This information was left off the information ticket. When queried, the organizers said that it was too much information to be typed onto the card.
We are individually responsible to keep telling Guild executive and show organizers what is required to be put on the ticket — and what information MUST BE entered on the Quilt Submission form.
It’s up to everyone of us to be vigilant all the time. Annoying and Mundane that it might be.
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Yes, Karen! We need to continually remind quilt guilds to acknowledge the maker and whether the quilt is an original or from a pattern. CQA/ACC requires a letter of consent from the designer/publisher before the entry is even considered for jurying. The US organizer knows better…
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Anna, you and I have discussed this before. I find it very frustrating that as a business woman (who quilts, traditionally and artistically for enjoyment) that the “business” is quilting is not respected. Because it is a business when commercial terms and conditions are entered into. If I have certain professional standards I adhere to as a Procurement Manager when I am buying intellectual and physical property, so too should anyone else. Anything less negatively impacts the artisan and lowers the overall standards that the “business” of quilting.
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Hear, hear! Thank you for weighing in with your poignant comment, Theresa!
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It truly surprises me that a show the size of this would make such a blunderbuss error. I agree that there should be an apology and recognition made. The advertising department must have had use of all the photos that were submitted, not just the ones that were chosen to submit the quilts. An example of too many committees possibly but no excuse!
Anna, please extend my thoughts and good wishes to the creator, she deserves to be acknowledged.
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I will pass on your words of support.
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I look at this as a lack of professionalism on the part of the show organizers, which in turn reflects on the show itself. Such a huge oversight should be acknowledged publicly and personally to the rejected artist. They may simply not be aware of their mistake. If it’s brought to their attention and nothing is done, then I would think twice before ever submitting to this group again as I would question what other “mistakes” were made. Their lack of judgment then comes into question as well. It is completely unacceptable.
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Thanks you Helene! Well said!
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Did she contact the organizers about this infringement? If not, she needs to do this. Please give us an update if you get one.
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The quilt maker is in the process of or has contacted the organizers. She has promised to keep me posted with their response.
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This was advertised through AQS which should know about this matter. They are strict about copyright and the organization should have known better. It should be reported and restitution should be made. In my opinion she made a beautiful quilt. American’s are usually on the ball but not this time.
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Indeed this was AQS – the same organization that has moved into Syracuse during the second week of Quilting by the Lake (QBL), an event that has just celebrated its 35th anniversary impacting registration and forcing vendors to make a choice which event to support… When asked why this week the answer was “It’s business!”…
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Maybe she should check with the organization to see if in fact her piece was rejected in error. This happened to me last year when I was notified about sending my piece to the coordinator for the show. I had received a rejection notice but apparently it was an error as in fact I was really accepted. I contacted the organization and that was when I found out I was actually accepted. Mistakes do happen.
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An excellent suggestion, Judi! – The problem is also that none of the other artists received recognition for the entries that were featured in the rest of the advertisement…
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I cannot believe that happened to her and feel she needs to take some serious steps with the organization to address this issue.
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The person whose quilt this is was considering a letter to the organizer of the show to address this matter, Linda. I have asked her to stay in touch with me and share details on what transpires.
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