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Obscure and Endangered: Book and Fiber Art Display, Oct 15 &16

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Left to Right: “Goldstreifiger” by Maria Janotkova of Bratislava, Slovakia; “Kaua‘i White Hibiscus” by Miki Willa of Spokane, WA; “Philippine Eagle” by Cheryl Stanczyk of Beavercreek, OH; and “Corpse Flower” by Judy Anderson of Fairfax, VA; and are used with permission.

This post was authored by Nanette Gibbs, Business Reference Librarian, and Sean Bryant, Science Reference Librarian, of the Science, Technology, and Business Division.


Endangered Species You Might Not Have Heard of and Fiber Art Quilts at the Library of Congress

Tuesday, October 15, & Wednesday, October 16, 2019

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Science, Technology and Business Reading Room

Adams Building, Fifth Floor


On Tuesday, October 15, and Wednesday, October 16, 2019, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Library of Congress Science and Business Reading Room will pair fiber art quilts with our October reading room book display Obscure and Endangered. The book display highlights lesser known endangered plant and animal species, ranging from the Goldstreifiger to the Jellyfish Tree.

For two days only, the art quilts themselves will take their place alongside the Library’s books. Vividly detailed depictions of species like the Ghost Orchid and the Philippine Eagle will be on display, alongside a colorful array of resources drawn from the Library’s extensive general collections.

This past summer, sixty quilts were featured in our first display on endangered species. Many of them depicted well known species, such as the African Lion and the Giant Panda. Now, forty-five more quilts, will highlight species whose plights have not received the same attention. These, too, have been selected from a collection of art quilts, created by fiber artists from the local area and around the world, and featured in the upcoming book, Inspired by Endangered Species: Animals and Plants in Fabric Perspectives.  Author Donna Marcinkowski DeSoto maintains an extensive and growing database of highly talented fiber artists from both the United States and throughout the world, and periodically “puts out a call” for work which reflects a chosen topic, in this case inspired by frequent news reports about endangered species.

Each quilt in the book is accompanied by fascinating animal and plant facts from rescuers, scientists, conservationists, and more:  where animals and plants live, what their “superpowers” are, why they are at risk, and how we can help.  In the book, dedicated and passionate people who work to protect endangered species share details of their roles and specialties, the planning behind conservation measures, threats to healthy habitats, and inspiring success stories.

Learn more: Endangered and Threatened Species Research Guide 


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please contact Nanette Gibbs at 202-707-3166 or [email protected]

Request ADA accommodations 5 days in advance at 202-707-6362

Comments

  1. Although I won’t be able to attend the Obscure and Endangered exhibit at the LOC, I salute your effort to combine species and quilts in your display. Talk about cross pollenization.
    Keep up the amazing work!

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