Star quilter shows her work at Sisters gallery

After 35 years, Jean Wells-Keenan has finally had her very first gallery opening.

Keenan's starring role as leader of the quilt show was never more evident than it was on Thursday night at High Desert Gallery. People hung on her every word, asking question after question while Keenan, on the other hand, was interested in learning about their projects, making suggestions and wanting to see their creations.

Gallery owner Myrna Dow and her husband Todd, manager, hosted the opening. Keenan's work will be displayed through July 18.

"Since day one in Sisters in 2001, we've long been supporters of the quilt show," Todd said, "and for the last five years we've featured quilters and fiber art at the gallery during quilt show week. It was the decision of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show board, when it was the 35th year (of the quilt show), that we thought Jean would be the natural choice."

Those schooled in the world of quilting know Keenan as innovative in creating a new turn on an old quilt pattern: the New York Beauty block.

"The way she re-invented the New York Beauty block with curved scenes and points is phenomenal," said Bill Volckening, of the Oregon Quilt Project. "Then they turned it to make a circle and someone realized that it could be a sunflower. The advent of paper piecing helped to do that sort of quilt. They helped simplify the procedure for making it and (Keenan's daughter) Valori wrote a book, "Radiant New York Beauties."

Quilters praised Keenan and the quilt show for inspiring their love of quilting.

"I've been coming to Sisters with my husband to vacation, and when I found out about the quilt show and came, it spoke to me," said Sue Haney." I wait all year for this show."

"I took a correspondence class from her in 1990," said Judith Huntley. "She sent a packet of four blocks and she would critique them and she'd send them back and you'd go on to the next four. I finally finished my quilt. It's on my bed and I wouldn't give it to anyone."