The image you see above is actually a photo of a quilt of the late pop star Prince that was designed by Devon Pfeif, a member of the East Cobb Quilters’ Guild.
She was recently named the winner of a competition, the Prince Cherrywood Challenge, that will culminate with an exhibit sponsored by the East Cobb Quilters’ Guild next month at the Mable House.
The challenge is sponsored by the Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics and requires artists to create a unique quilt, with a specific theme, measuring 20 by 20 inches, utilizing only the few fabrics selected by the company.
Some background on Devon before explaining her prize-winning entry:
She grew up in New Jersey, surrounding by artistry, not just via nearby New York City, but also having an artistic grandfather. Her background in graphic arts included regular work with fabric as a medium, in designing, batiking, quilting, or sewing.
After moving to the Marietta area, she got a recommendation to join East Cobb Quilters’ Guild from a friend and found an active community that shared her love of fabrics.
Here’s what happened after Devon heard about the challenge a couple of years ago at an art show, according to information submitted by the guild:
On her 2016 & 2017 entries, she received special recognitions. On this 2018 Challenge, Devon triumphed over the competition, placing first out of 380 entries, with her beautiful design detailing Prince’s face and signature “Love Symbol” dangling from his necklace.
Her design continued to evolve throughout its creation. “It’s a process. I never know what the final piece is going to look like,” she said. With the small quilt size and limited fabrics to incorporate into the design, the contests are very challenging. But, for Devon the challenge is what intrigues her.
Devon said, “to me, the process of figuring it out, the puzzling and solving, is the most exciting part.”
Devon’s prize-winning art quilt, “New Beginnings,” is part of the 75-piece traveling Cherrywood Tribute Tour. Here’s more about that, from the Cobb Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs:
The Prince Cherrywood Challenge Tribute Tour exhibit featuring 75 quilts is presented by East Cobb Quilters’ Guild in collaboration with Cobb County Parks and will be held at the Mable House Arts Center, Friday, July 5 through Thursday, July 11.
The most recent competition in 2018 challenged participants to create a design with the theme of Prince, calling for the use of rich purple hues to embody the sensational artist and his work.
The Prince challenge received 380 entries, and 75 of the most noteworthy designs will be featured at the exhibit at Mable House Arts Center, including two from additional East Cobb Quilters’ Guild members, Ben Hollingsworth and Gail Oliver.
On Friday, July 5, 2019 experience a night entirely dedicated to Prince with the opening reception at the Mable House Arts Center taking place from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., featuring the 75 fabric art designs from finalists of the international competition, each honoring the musical legend.
The event at the Mable House Amphitheater beginning at 7 p.m., also includes a Prince Tribute, with a free live concert headlined by Hero The Band, followed by a screening of “Purple Rain” at 8:30 p.m.
The Prince Cherrywood Challenge Tribute Tour exhibit admission is free and will be held at the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.
For more information visit the Mable House events listings and the Cherrywood Fabrics Prince Challenge page.
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