Tucson fiber artist Linda Moran felt overwhelmed Jan. 8 when she learned of the shooting on the northwest side that killed six and injured 13, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Moran alleviated some of her anxiety over the tragedy one stitch at a time through quilt therapy.
Instead of reaching for a box of tissues, Moran, a high school math teacher, picked through her supply of fabric and designed a wall hanging to memorialize the dead and address what she perceives as a growing disharmony in the United States.
"Quilters, fiber artists, artists in all media tend to react to events through their art," Moran said. "Sunday, the day after (the shooting), I was really stunned and having trouble focusing and feeling I needed to do something."
Moran's quilt depicts a glowing candle with the names of the six Tucsonans who were fatally shot. The candle is surrounded by words, part of what Moran said is the "discourse tearing this country apart."
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As she designed her own memorial quilt, Moran reached out to a couple of artist friends - one in Sedona, the other in Indiana. Together they hashed out a concept for an online arts project to promote peace and unity. By Jan. 12, just four days after the shooting, the Art From the HeArt website was running and the first submissions for the e-gallery were posted. Each piece is accompanied by an artist statement explaining the thought process that went into the artwork.
Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet.com or at 573-4191.
