Giving Back

CJ Juska and Heidi Parkes

I came to quilting via a textile retreat in France with quilt artist Heidi Parkes.

At the time, while having experience and curiosity in a variety of textile crafts, I had no real interest in learning traditional quilting. However, I longed for the French vacation and Heidi’s quilting style of improv and abstract diary quilting employing hand-sewn appliqué, embroidery, and quilting was simultaneously intriguing and intimidating. Relying on my practice of hand sewing techniques learned from Natalie Chanin’s The School of Making, I gathered the confidence to give it a try. Signing up for that retreat was a pivotal moment in my life, one that led me down a path to creativity, community, and personal growth.

Since then, I have been fortunate to have the resources to partake in numerous art and quilting workshops and retreats. I understand that studying, making, and especially purchasing art is a privilege that many do not have. Creating art has been restorative and healing for me. I have been able to form new friendships and build a caring community through quilt making.

As such, I pledge to donate proceeds from the sale of select quilts to local organizations working to prevent domestic violence and food insecurity in my community, national organizations fighting for democracy and reproductive rights, and to the art and craft non-profits that I have benefited from.  

The 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that I currently support include the following:

Project Safe
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
ACLU
Planned Parenthood
Project Threadways
Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts
Penland School of Craft

Thank you for supporting my art and enabling me to give back!