About Professional Quilting Artist Joan Hug-Valeriote

Meet the Artist: Joan Hug-Valeriote

In the world of textile art, there are many talented quilt artists who produce stunning fibre art works. One of them is Joan Hug-Valeriote from Guelph, Ontario. Joan is a professional quilt artist who has been quilting for over 40 years. Her art quilts have been exhibited nationally in the Canadian Quilters’ Association’s National Juried Show and in the Grand National, as well as internationally, from the U.S.A. to Europe, to New Zealand.

Joan’s quilting career began when she was at home with young children in Toronto in her late 20’s. She had sewn her own garments since childhood but wanted to learn how to make a child’s doll quilt. So, she enrolled in a hand-quilting class at Colborne Lodge in High Park. She learned from books, joined several quilt guilds and took classes to hone her skills. After completing her first quilt, she was hooked! She had found her medium as an artist.

Joan draws inspiration from nature and her surroundings, at home and abroad. Using a mix of commercially printed, hand-painted and hand-dyed fabrics, she seeks to create a piece of art that showcases natural beauty and reflects the splendor of the outdoors, from landscapes and seascapes to built structures. Joan’s choice of fabrics and colours, textures and designs, often make the quilt take on a life of its own. She tries to let the fabric inform what the quilt will become, creating a work of art that is both beautiful, original and most often, functional. She also tries to be environmentally conscious, using old cottons and linens as well as repurposing clothing and other textiles.

In the last 20 years, she has been working mostly on a longarm quilting machine, using some of her own patterns and designs as well as patterns created by other quilters.

Joan is not only an accomplished quilter, but she is also an experienced teacher, having given a number of quilting workshops for adults and well as for children. Her classes are usually small and hands-on. Joan emphasizes the importance of finding one’s own voice or style and encouraging students to trust their instincts and not simply follow a template. She believes that everyone can create a work of art that is entirely unique and personal.

In conclusion, Joan Hug-Valeriote’s work is not only beautiful but also inspirational. Some are social or political statements, but others simply capture the beauty of the Earth. They are original pieces of art that showcase her creativity and vision. Whether you are a novice or an experienced quilter seeking new inspiration, Joan’s work is well worth exploring.

Joan has been sewing since early childhood and has been quilting since 1977 while working in the film business and later teaching French in Toronto schools. Her quilting has been influenced by international travel as well as five years living in Switzerland, France and Spain, and four years in California. 

Learn More About Joan. 
– Biography
– Quilts gallery
– Film and Video

Guelph Arts Council Joan Hug-Valeriote profile.

Gwen’s Sugar Bag Quilt

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Testimonials

Hi Joan:

Just to say “Hi”.

I saw your Show and Share quilt. I wanted to say how beautiful the quilting was.

I’m guessing that you quilted the rows going lengthwise rather than across; so there’s a piano-keys longside border.
A nice mix of arcs and quadrants plus the ghost Dresden plates, so very fitting.

Such an honest quilt, in a historical way, as the early quilts were. Simple, direct, not pretending to be anything but itself – a creation of forthright fabrics showing the talent of the maker with plenty of space to showcase the quilt stitching.

Well done!

Regards,
Peter R-N

Learn more about Gwen’s Sugar Bag Quilt