Quilt

The Spirit of Angie Houtz

Description

Quilt titled The Spirit of Angie Houtz created by Annette Boncek in memory of Angela M. Houtz and made with fabric, batting, netting, thread, buttons, and photo transfers. This quilt is primarily navy blue with accents of fabric yellow stars and swirling arrows radiating from a large red heart in the lower center portion of the quilt. Inside the heart is a photo transfer of a portrait of Angie Houtz with her name above. Also inside the heart is a photo of the Pentagon showing the impact zone and a patch for the Office of Naval Intelligence where Houtz worked. A fabric patch reads: "Loving Remembrance | family and friends | Bonceks & Chapmans."

Historical Notes

Inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt, New York City–based arts educator Drunell Levinson conceived a September 11 Quilts Memorial that would bring together the work of artists from around the world. Drawing upon her academic research into mourning customs and her expertise as a quilter and fabric artist, Levinson issued a call for quilts on a website she created for the project. She offered thematic guidelines and requested a uniform size but left the choice of material, style, and subject to each quilter. Within the first year after 9/11, she had received 94 quilts. Over the next two years, the quilts—many using the Twin Towers as a focal point—were displayed throughout the United States and in Japan.