Cheryl Olson’s “Art Quilts”
through March 31, 2009

The Dacotah Prairie Museum welcomed Turton, SD, artist Cheryl Olson and her unique “Art Quilts”. Nine quilts, four of them new and never seen before in an exhibition, were displayed on the Museum’s 2nd floor through March 31, 2009. A reception in honor of the artist was held at the Museum on March 19.

Cheryl Olson was born in Utah, and has lived in California, Tennessee, Indiana, and Missouri. She now resides with her husband and children on a farm west of Turton.

“When designing and developing a new piece of art, I go to a place where I feel peace, joy, and energy,” Cheryl explains, “Usually, this is my home with music that I enjoy, but I also love just being outside…Art quilting allows me the freedom of using fiber and thread with a full range of color and pattern to put a new twist on contemporary art. Painting on fabric and using found objects within a piece inspired me to expand the creative and endless possibilities.”

Much of Olson’s work is inspired by nature and the colors she prefers to use are usually cool and very bright. In her work, colors represent cheerfulness, freedom and life itself. “A significant portion of my work is inspired by nature,” she says, “I tend to use bright colored fabrics and enhance the texture with other fiber to give dimension.” In this exhibit, the four new pieces include a close-up view of a Poinsettia called “Joyous Time Of Year” sewn of brilliant reds and fabrics with great sheen. “As The Sun Sets” is a quilt consisting of a variety of colors and finishes which is completely quilted in stitched circles. The remaining two pieces, entitled “Enjoy the Flowers” and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”, are both focused on the petals of flowers with rich colors and intricate needlework.

Cheryl was involved in the spring quilt show held at the ARCC in Aberdeen on the weekend of April 24 & 25, and sponsored by the Aberdeen Area Quilt Guild and the Candlelight Quilt Guild. The quilts graced many of the rooms in the ARCC and it was a major show. Personally, she is busy this spring getting ready for her daughter’s wedding as the focus of her time and energy. About her art Cheryl states, “Creating is a journey, one of growth and spiritual reflection. For what is created has developed out of the heart of who you are. It is very rewarding to create something from ideas and feelings.”

For information on past exhibits in the Dacotah Gallery, please click here.