By Ailsa McCormick
Review Intern
Around 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative is a volunteer project that raises awareness and money for Alzheimer’s research through quilts.
Their quilt show travels all over the U.S. They recently held one of these quilt shows at Kings Court Castle in Canterbury Village. This is the second time it has been in Michigan.
Caroline Vagts owns The Village Quilt Shoppe in Canterbury.
After watching her best friend’s father battle Alzheimer’s, Vagts brought the quilt exhibit to Orion Township.
‘The quilts are made by famous quilters from all over the U.S. There are 52 quilts in the exhibit and each one has a story with it,? said Vagts.
Each quilt has its own story to tell about someone’s own experience with Alzheimer’s.
The quilts have their own unique title. Some include pictures, some include words and some are original designs.
Many of the quilts were made in honor of parents or parents-in-law. The majority of them made were for women.
‘I recruited my family and friends to help me with the exhibit,? said Vagts.
There were also smaller quilt squares that were no bigger than nine by 12 inches.
These quilted squares were sold for various amounts and the money went towards Alzheimer’s research.
The quilt exhibit will next travel to Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts.
‘It’s already been to Canada and the U.K.,? said Vagts.
The quilt exhibit will continue to travel around the U.S. until 2010 when a new one will take its place.
The volunteers hope the quilt exhibit will continue to raise funds and awareness towards a cure for Alzheimer’s.