Threads of Life Quilt Exhibit at Greater Light

Sep 16, 2023

During Nantucket by Design, the Nantucket Historical Association’s premier summer fundraiser, the NHA in partnership with Christopher Farr Cloth is hosting a curated exhibition of quilts titled Threads of Life at Greater Light, an historic island site that is a gorgeous expression of art and design. Each quilt will be designed by a top design luminary from around the globe, including Kit Kemp, Martin Brudnizki, Yabu Pushelburg, Frank de Biasi, Mitch Owens, Kate Blee, Noz Nozawa, Atelier Ace, Mally Skok, Commune, Eleish van Breems, and Kathleen Hay. All quilts will be available for sale at the exhibition, with a generous portion of the net proceeds from sales benefiting the Nantucket Historical Association.

“We are thrilled to be hosting this exhibition at the NHA’s Historic Site, Greater Light, as it’s truly a unique property that celebrates art and creativity, making it the perfect location to showcase this exhibit and bring more awareness to the age-old craft of quilting,” says Christopher Farr Cloth Vice President Gary Searle.

Greater Light was the summer home and studio of Gertrude and Hanna Monaghan, two Quaker sisters from Philadelphia. Originally built around 1790 as a livestock barn, the Monaghans discovered Greater Light in 1929 when they followed a herd of cattle up Main Street. Enthralled, they purchased the dilapidated building and set about transforming it into their own summer oasis, adorning it with cast-off architectural elements, decorative objects, and eclectic furniture. Their personal aesthetic blended art and whimsy with an appreciation of unique handcrafted works that coalesced in an environment that is a monument to their spirit. They created a magical space that lovingly illustrates the era of Nantucket’s history when an art colony thrived in the sleepy island community.

Christopher Farr Cloth is a luxury fabric house based in the United Kingdom that was created by Michal Silver with partners Christopher Farr and Matthew Bourne. To create each quilt that on display in the Nantucket exhibition, Christopher Farr Cloth used its exclusive fabric collection and skilled seamstresses to construct one-of-a-kind pieces based on the luminaries’ designs that range from narrative to abstract, with the common thread of artistic excellence and quality.

“We are excited to have this collaboration take place during Nantucket by Design week, as it directly relates to the NHA’s extensive collection of textiles and quilts. We look forward to sharing more about these historic pieces in our collection during the various programming offered throughout the exhibition,” says Stacey Bewkes, 2023 Nantucket by Design Chair.

The exhibition free and open to public during Nantucket by Design through Friday, August 4, from 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturday, August 5, from 9 to 11 am. Special programming, including a tour with quilt designers, a Nantucket by Design master class, panel discussions, and more, will be held at Greater Light during the exhibition for details: nha.org/join-give/benefit-events/nantucket-by-design