Galleries
Muskingum University to Showcase Local Artist in Quilt Show
Muskingum University’s first art exhibit this academic year will feature local artist Julia Swan. The Julia Swan Quilt Show will be Sept. 7-28, 2022, in the Palmer Art Gallery. The opening reception with Swan will be Sept. 7 from 1-3 p.m.
The Quilt Show will feature 17 quilts as well as six sculptures from her husband, Dr. Tom Swan, and former Muskingum University professor Louis Palmer. She also will have her book, Julia’s Quilts “Through the Eye of a Needle,” on display.
The University also is hosting an Artist Lecture & Demo in the Palmer Art Gallery on Sept. 14 from 1-2:30 p.m. as well as a Meet the Artist event on Sept. 16 in the Palmer Art Gallery at 1 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.
Julia, a 1954 Muskingum University alumna, met Tom Swan at the University, which then was Muskingum College, and they settled in Cambridge where Tom practiced medicine and Julia raised their four children. Julia also gave Red Cross swimming lessons, which were free to all children in the area, and volunteered at Hill ‘n Dale Girl Scout Camp.
Julia did not begin quilting until her four children had left home. She tried a few of the traditional patterns but found that she enjoyed making her own creative designs instead.
Julia’s Broad Stripes and Bright Star marching flag, created in 1975, can still be seen in Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades. The first parade that featured the marching flag was the Bi-Centennial Celebration in downtown Cambridge where the ladies from Julia’s bridge club donned their flag sections.
The Palmer Art Gallery is open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday-Sunday by appointment. For appointments, contact (740) 826-8095. For further information on the exhibit and activities, contact Muskingum University Professor of Art Yan Sun at (740) 826-8105.
