Klutzke, Gloria Indiana Bicentennial Quilt, 1816-2016

Information

Gloria Dux Klutzke, originally from Indianapolis, has resided in Tippecanoe County most of her life. She received a BA in professional writing from Purdue University before becoming a fiber artist under the tutelage of several internationally recognized textile artists.

Currently, she is enrolled in a 10-year Masters Art Series. Memberships include Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) and American Quilter’s Society (AQS). Klutzke has displayed fiber art in AQS, with SAQA and in Mancuso Brothers shows in the US. She enjoys designing commemorative fiber art. She feels the most creative when sewing to music.

• Indiana Bicentennial Quilt, 1816-2016
• 38” x 55”
• Private Collection
• Keywords: cartography, textile art, history, mixed-media art, narrative quilting
• Subjects: Native Americans, French influence, rivers, Monon Railroad, Potawatomi Trail of Death, Underground Railroad, Crossroads of America, wildlife, migration, transportation, settlement, topography, arrowheads

Upon completion of this piece, Klutzke was invited by Indiana Bicentennial Commission Executive Director Perry Hammock to bring her Indiana Bicentennial Quilt to Indianapolis. On July 7, 2016, a press conference was held for First Lady Karen Pence and Klutzke to unveil this quilt at the Indiana Statehouse.

Klutzke adds, “I had several serendipitous outcomes while making this art piece. I felt the Spirit of the Native American (in the lower left quadrant of the quilt) guiding my decision making. The surrounding diagonal quilting was intended to bring your focus to the middle, but they also created arrowheads. I made this quilt for the 200th birthday of Indiana’s statehood to ‘Honor all who have traversed this state in search of home and safety’.”

Some Points To Consider

• Ask: In what ways does this choice of fabric mimic the topography of Indiana after the ice age?
• Ask students to research various Native American tribes who inhabited this state and the hardships imposed upon them.
• Ask students to list lasting impacts Native Americans have had on our state.
• Ask: What is the significance of the name of the Monon Railroad?
• Ask students to research the significance of the locations of the fleur de lis on this quilt.
• Ask students why the Potawatomi Trail of Death was added to this quilt.
• Ask students to research what the significance of the green footprints are on this quilt.
• Ask students to find the significance of what the Native American has turned his back on?
• Ask students to research why our state flag, state seal, state bird, state flower and state tree were chosen.
• Ask students to list as many forms of migrations as they can find on this quilt.
• Ask: Why are there two stars on this quilt?
• Ask students to research Indiana’s state motto and explain its significance.