Media Kit
I began my textile journey 30 years ago, like many women, quilting squares of fabric together. Yet with each stitch, I longed for a more authentic way to express my experiences as a woman. Within a short time I abandoned traditional quilt patterns and sought my own subversive shapes and forms.
A textile scholarship led me further on the path of discovery, enabling me to break free and create multimedia pieces that captured the inspiring beauty of nature while other pieces highlighted the terror of war, hunger and violence against women.
I have followed these criss-crossing paths of beauty and pain throughout my artistic career, seeking to document “The Long Walk Home” that every woman travels in her life. If art captures meaning, then it is my hope that with each stitch my art shares an awareness about truths that needs to be told.
FACT SHEET
Contact Information:
Debra Calkins
P O Box 1203 - Freeland, WA 98249
longwalkhomestudio@gmail.com
360-914-1003
Mission:
Educating to create awareness of the Long Walk Home every woman travels in her life; to provoke thought and dialogue about current, important social issues.
Exhibitions:
Reflections Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Art Museum 2020
Fiber Fusion traveling exhibit for Washington Surface Design 2016
Fiber Fusion regional show 2017
Beneath the Surface LaConner Quilt & Textile Museum 2016
Artist Trust Edge Reunion Show 2014
Grants:
Whidbey Island Arts Council 2012
Curated:
Unmade Bed, an exhibition on the sex slave trade 2016
Education:
Graduate of the Fiber Arts Certificate Program University of Washington 2009
Student of Jan Myers-Newberry, Liz Axford, David Walker and Joan Wolfham
Background:
Professional Fiber Artist for over 30 years
Lives and works in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A.
Associations:
Surface Design Association (SDA), International Organization of Fiber Artists.
Whidbey Island Surface Design (WISD), Founding Member.
Studio Art Quilt Association (SAQA), Global Fiber Artist Association
Contemporary Quilt Art Association (CQA), Past President
Artwork in Seven Private Collections
View Full CV Resume
Photographies of Debra Calkins’ artwork are available for licensing for both publication and suggested commercial projects. Please contact the artist directly to discuss proposed use and completion of required written licensing.