Judith Cole Youngman
The Muncy Historical Society celebrates Last Friday in August by hosting a book signing, featuring Judith Cole Youngman with her latest book “Amadeus Quilts – A Journal of Encouragement” and a spectacular display of full-size quilts and wall-hangings. This one-day show, Friday, August 31, noon to 8 p.m. will highlight the Society’s last “Last Friday” event at its 40 N. Main Street Location.
Youngman was born in New England to fourth-generation Yankees and raised in Vermont. Her early education included several years in a one-room school. She was graduated from Northfield School and then Brown University, where she studied biology and art history. Her past fifty years have been spent in North Central Pennsylvania raising a family, serving as a community volunteer, and working as a nursing home administrator. In her other life Judith continues to study, write, teach and make quilts.
In 1976, influenced by the American Bicentennial, and with the generous direction of a talented friend, Judith made her first quilt. After that experience quilting became her chosen form of creative expression. As the years passed and her focus narrowed, replications of vintage quilts became paramount. The powerful connection between anonymous 19th century quiltmakers and her own production solidified. Judith was honoring them and finding inspiration for herself.
Her warmth and passion for teaching is legendary; her enterprising spirit greatly admired; and her instructive classes reflect both traditional and the latest contemporary trends in the quilting world. Youngman celebrates quilting as an art with her strong sense of color; by promoting programs, exhibitions, publications and research; and by collecting and preserving and documenting materials related to quilt replication and pattern.
To commemorate a milestone birthday the author presents this new collection, “Amadeus Quilts” of her verse and art to encourage and inspire. Observations about life, laced with humor and perception, are offered in tandem with images of quilts based on a 19th century sensibility. Judith hopes that her readers “will discover a sense of renewal and beauty” in her new release.
Suzanne Murray, the book’s editor, had this to say about Youngman’s latest efforts: “Working with Judith is quite the enriching experience. And I think her new book will enrich readers’ lives. Not only does her verse provoke thought, but the art of her quilts inspires close study. One of my favorite verses begins: ‘We have a choice each morning regarding the attitude we will embrace for the day…’ Why a favorite? Because it has made me more mindful of how I approach each new day. And while not a quilter myself, the beauty of Judith’s quilts opened my eyes to what works of art they are.”
Nella Godbey Storm, recipient of the Art Education Association’s “Art Teacher of the Year” Award, praises Youngman and her “unique level of understated drama with color choices and pattern configurations that are both subtle and captivating. Like all great art, her works read from the distance pulling the viewer in…and patterns play off each other…” In 2010 Muncy’s Quilt Show judges awarded Best of Show and Best Use of Color honors to Youngman’s quilt “William Penn Courthouse Steps.”
For this one-day show, Youngman has selected specific pieces from her collection which present the viewer with “a visual dialogue that is compelling, subtle, and full of imagination” according to Storm. Her selections, most of which will be available for purchase, represent a mosaic of fabric infused with elegance and knowledge that has raised Youngman’s art of the quilt to a pinnacle that has rarely been achieved according to Storm.
In addition to both of Youngman’s books and her one-person show, the museum’s meeting room will be transformed into a quilters’ rummage sale. A wide variety of material (being sold by the pound) plus books, quilter tools & other quilt-related paraphernalia will be on sale. Amadeus notecards and quilt patterns will also be available.
Light refreshments will be served from noon to 8 p.m.
More information is available by calling the Muncy Historical Society at 570-546-5917. On the Internet at www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org or www.MuncyQuilts.com or email MuncyHistorical@aol.com.
