Collaboration in Healing Quilts

On September 23rd, I had the pleasure of delivering twelve new art quilts to the University of Michigan. The pieces are based on scientific images taken by researchers in the Center for Organogenesis.

The pieces in the collection were done by Fiber Artists @ Loose Ends.

My piece is called Stem Star and is based on a photo by Shannon Davis.

Stem Star by Lisa Ellis

This is my inspiration photo:

Stem Star by Shannon Davis

This is what Shannon says about Stem Star:
"This is a section of a mouse pituitary gland and nearby neural tube that has been artificially transformed into a star pattern. The neural tube forms the central star, while the pituitary is the bottle-cap shaped structure on the outside of the "stem star". The name, Stem Star, was given because both the neural tube and the pituitary contain stem cells that are responsible for the growth and maintenance of the two organs. The pituitary gland actually derives (in part) from the neural tube; the pituitary is a master gland that controls the activity of other glands that regulate growth, pregnancy, water balance, energy metabolism, blood pressure and the body's response to stress."

I was thrilled to be able to meet Shannon and share our artworks.

Shannon Davis and Lisa Ellis

Other scientists that came to see the unveiling were Sue O'Shea, Deb Gumucio, and Sally Camper. Here they are holding up the piece called "Branching" made by Paula Golden based on the photo by scientists Mara Steinkamp, Graduate Student, Human Genetics and Diane Robins, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Human Genetics.

Sue O'Shea, Deb Gumucio and Sally Camper holding Branching

This project would not be possible without the management and vision of Elaine Sims and Kathi Talley from the Gifts of Art.

Kathi Talley holding Van Gogh's Skin

Van Gogh's Skin was made by Carole Nicholas based on the photo by scientist Mark Hutchin, House Officer, Dermatology.

And here is Elaine Sims with our group quilt called Gastric Rainbow. This piece was made collectively by nine of the quilt artists based on the photo by Jochen Lennerz, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO and Jason Mills, M.D., Ph.D University of Washington at St. Louis.

Elaine Sims holding Gastric Rainbow

To see all photos of all the pieces in the collection and the scientific inspiration, check out our Fiber Artists at Loose Ends gallery page.