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When I think of rural Ontario, one of the images that comes to mind is something I saw in a movie once: ladies gathered together outdoors, sitting around a quilting frame, stitching by hand, sipping lemonade and chatting about the week’s events. The breeze is gently blowing and rustling the leaves and I’m sure the air smells like strawberries. Coming from a family of stitchers (my mum and all my many aunts), I know that this is just a picture in my head and not something that actually happens, but that doesn’t matter to me. I like the idea!
Another misconception about quilting is that it’s a craft and not an art. I wholeheartedly disagree. One glance at Renske Helmuth‘s work and I’m sure you’ll see why.
Renske, born on a dairy farm in Holland, trained as a teacher. She studied home economics among other things, including needlework, knitting and crocheting. She also studied art and art history. After teaching for a few years she emigrated to Canada. When she got married, her mother-in-law taught her how to piece quilts.
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Renske’s passion for the art of quilting is apparent in her work, as is her love of the Ontario countryside. Many of her works depict rural Ontario scenes, vistas that I have always felt resembled patchwork quilts. Occasionally using the aerial photography of Carl Hiebert as inspiration, Renske employs the techniques of applique and embroidery rather than a paint brush to create her works of art, and the results are impressive.
The most unbelievable thing about Renske Helmuth is that she hasn’t yet sold a quilt! The only way to get one of Renske’s amazing creations is to place the winning bid at the Mennonite Relief Sale in New Hamburg. To date she has coordinated six feature quilts with the help of the members of the Waterloo County Quilters Guild and the Listowel Mennonite Church.
The Mennonite Relief Sale is happening this weekend in New Hamburg. To preview this year’s collection of quilts, head to New Hamburg tonight! Go back tomorrow morning to purchase your favourite. The bidding begins at 8:30am.
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Cynthia - I have had the pleasure of seeing some of Renske’s amazing work up close when my mom Katherine Snyder was a coordinator of the quilt auction.
Her pieces are breathtaking, full of texture and colour. They most definitely are art. The time and dedication to detail she gives every piece she creates is staggering!
If you have never been to the quilt auction you should check it out, it is the best selection of handmade pieces you will find, all up for sale for charity… what could be better than taking home a family heirloom and knowing the money raised will help so many!
Thank you for featuring her on Ruralist!
Rose Bowlby - Hi,
Renske was named Teacher of the Year 2012 in Halifax by the Canadian Quilters Association. I am writing an article for the association’s newsletter and would like permission to use the information and pictures,regarding Renske in this blog in this article. Would you please advise if this is possible,
Thank you
Erin Roy - Absolutely, we are pleased to share our content with you! We like to encourage more readers of Ruralist!
Linda Broere - I so much enjoyed, and learned, from your workshop, Sept. 2012, TVQG, in Brighton, ON, but didnn’t find your site till now, you stayed with my friend Brenda. And we both love the Dutch farm. My husband is Dutch, when he took me there, I especially liked Friesland, seemed to pick up the language, in an organic way, and spent the afternoon “chatting “with our hostess. Anyway, my brother-in-law is an artist, and he thinks my 4×6 from your class is my best, ever, and I’ve done more, and hope to do lots more