Mendocino Quilt Artists (MQA) is a nationally known group of nine creative women united by a shared love of art and quilting. For over thirty years, they have met twice a month in each others’ homes to share their art and inspire/support each other. They also gather biannually for multi-day quilt retreats in Philo and on the Mendocino coast. While their many passions include music, dance, nature, travel, books, family and food, quilting is the main thread that continues to weave their busy lives together. Through their artwork, they celebrate life’s richness and honor their deep connection to inland Mendocino County and the vibrant community that inspires and sustains them.

In spite of their years of growing closeness, each of these artists maintains an entirely individual art practice. Some favor intricate piecing, while others focus on looser collage techniques or abstract work. Some sew exclusively by machine, admiring others who have the skill and patience to incorporate hand stitching into their work. For some the focus is the play and interrelationship of color they can achieve with multitudes of fabric, and for others the impetus that draws them to quilt is to make statements about social and environmental issues. 

Whatever the differences, however, the language of art quilting is universal to group members. ‘How can I tell my story through this piece?’ or ‘How can I make this composition flow better?’ are frequent topics of discussion. Without labeling anything as ‘good’ or ‘not good’ the group tries to help each artist see where they are in the process of creating through a respectful and questioning lens. ‘Do you understand what the artist is trying to say with this piece?’ is a common question, as is ‘How is the color balance working?’ 

Artists in the group are Deanna Apfel, Holly Brackmann, Laura Fogg, Ann Horton, Leila Kazimi,  Betty Lacy, Dede Ledford, Joyce Paterson and Marilyn Simpson.