Pokey Bolton: Seeing the Future
Pokey Bolton
Pokey Bolton is Chief Creative Officer for Quilts, Inc., the producers of the world-renowned International Quilt Festivals. Pokey has the incredible gift of visualizing a future different than the one that currently exists. May I remind you that Quilting Arts magazine (which was followed by TV, DVDs, books, and more mags) first existed in Pokey’s head? Pokey supports many good causes besides Fiberart For A Cause. Pokey has already raised $20,000 on behalf of rescue animals with more fundraisers for our furry friends coming in the future. Pokey is always finding the fun in the fiberart world AND making the world a better place. You can follow Pokey’s adventures on her blog.
1. Describe your artwork for “A Year of Art” in five words.
Therapeutic, Colorful, Playful, Experimental, Mixed
Tote filled with with the last three seasons of Quilting Arts TV,
an assortment of books from Interweave, as well as a fat pile of screened and printed fabric
by Pokey Bolton
Pokey will match the winning bid to donate to the American Cancer Society
during A Year of Art on February 12 and 13!
2. Describe the source of inspiration for your artwork.
Everything I come across is an inspiration to me…whether it be my dogs sleeping on my bed or a night lily in my fish pond opening its petals in the early evening. I love to turn these images into screens and create one-of-a-kind fabrics.
3. If you could switch to another medium as a career, what would it be? Why?
Actually…I think I found just the right ones–fabric and paper! I’m exactly where I want to be.
4. Do you support any other good causes besides Fiberart For A Cause
I support Friends For Life in Houston, this city’s premiere no-kill animal shelter. They take in animals that other local shelters otherwise would have killed as they wouldn’t meet their adoption criteria. I got both my dogs at Friends for Life, and they are fantastic additions to my household.
I also support Teens Alone, an organization outside of Minneapolis that works with homeless teens in getting them into safe homes so they can continue to go to school.
5. What’s coming up for you in the near and far future?
2013 I am hoping to be a fantastic year. After all, 13 is my lucky number! I’m going to really make getting into my studio a priority and explore some ideas that have been brewing for a while. I’m also excited to help launch several creative offerings for the International Quilt Festivals this year, including the Chicago show that is back on our roster. I am planning for a creative and industrious year.
I am inspired by the outdoors. A walk in the woods is great to kickstart a project. Quilting Arts makes we want to try new ideas.
Thank you for this article. I find Pokey to be a continual source of inspiration! And I like how you described her: “Pokey has the incredible gift of visualizing a future different than the one that currently exists.” That is truly a gift as well as her ability to make that view of the future become reality!