Morton Mansion Textiles and the NEST Art Factory

Caroline Joy Morton, born 1833 and died 1881 and the wife of J. Sterling Morton was an accomplished artist and musician. Many paintings hanging in her former home at the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park were done by her. I tried to take photos of them, but they are under glass, which reflected badly. Here is her bedroom. A sign hangs next to the room telling us about the woman. Along with her paintings, she also stitched the bead and needlework in the room. Her favorite color was red, and the room has always been papered in this color. The current wallpaper was put up in 1995 and matched to a sample of the original found behind light fixtures. The crazy quilt at the foot of the bed contains an “Arbor Day” ribbon and a “J. Sterling Morton for Governor” ribbon referencing her husband’s founding of the national holiday and one of the government posts he eventually held.

In a nearby room were two more quilts on display typical of the era: a crazy quilt and a traditional basket pattern.

Several dresses worn by Morton family women were displayed in the same room as the quilts.

Here is a painting of Caroline as well as a shot of the detail work on one of her dresses, in what color but red.

Last, but not least, I received notice today that my piece “Anasazi Roadways” has been juried into the SPUN Exhibition at the NEST Arts Factory in Bridgeport, CT. I have to say hooray for an exhibition that is interested in all of your work and allows you to submit not just that from the last two to three years like so many fiber shows. This in an exhibition operating as a true art gallery.