Gearing up for their show are, from left, Marianne Parsons, Enid Baker, Dianne Birnie, Diane Beadman and Darlene Chapman.
Lyonel Doherty photo
A passionate group of quilters is preparing a unique show that highlights how plants and animals are used in cancer treatment.
The Fabricators have produced 16 pieces to show the public in the Osoyoos Mini Theatre on April 16 during a fundraiser for Desert Valley Hospice Society.
Guest speaker Cathie Borrie will talk about dementia in her presentation, “The Long Hello – Memory, My Mother and Me.” The event begins at 7 p.m.
The Fabricators will enhance the event with their beautiful fibre art in a show entitled “Nature’s Healing Ways.”
For example, Diane Birnie made a small quilt depicting the poison dart frog of Ecuador. Its poison is actually used in darts that natives use for hunting.
Birnie said children have been known to die by merely touching a leaf that the frog sat on.
The molecule derived from the endangered frog has shown to be an effective chemotherapy for certain types of brain cancer.
Birnie said most people have been “touched” by cancer in some way or another. In fact, her own sister died of brain cancer.
Birnie is hoping their show will raise awareness about cancer research and the palliative care work that Desert Valley Hospice Society is known for.
President Janet Shaw said healing comes in many forms.
“It can be the warmth of human touch, a caring companion at your side, the physical release of pain medication, the pleasure of art, music and dance or the peace of spiritual support.”
Shaw said the society is truly appreciative to have the Fabricators and their wall quilts on display during such a “powerful” event with Borrie.
Fibre artist Marianne Parsons teaches design workshops and often encourages the Fabricators to show their work publicly.
Parsons noted they only tackle projects that members find inspiring and challenging. In doing this, they often learn new techniques.
She pointed out that the Fabricators are becoming well known and are often invited to shows.
People are invited to the April 16 fundraiser to see the quilts.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
