Thursday, October 22, 2015

Mourning My Quilts


Some of you may have heard…. A group of 8 different traveling loan exhibits went missing from the Mancuso Quiltfest Oasis show in early October  and were never hung. They included two exhibits from Quilts On The Wall Fiber Artists, one from the Southern California region of SAQA and five others. I had pieces in both of the QOTW shows – Maps and Shadows. 

All 8 of the individual exhibits were shipped via UPS to the Mancuso’s decorating company in California and were delivered and signed for. It is believed that all 8 were put on the same pallet to be trucked to the Palm Springs Convention Center for the Show which opened on October 10, 2015. They never arrived. 



My husband and I drove from LA to Palm Springs to see the show and my pieces in it, and we were very disappointed to find the photos above. I visited again the following day, but still no quilts. By the end of the weekend, the quilts – approximately 100-120 of them were still not hung. Four of the shows were to be sent north to the Mancuso’s Pacific International Quilt Festival, but were not hung there either. 

"Nightshadows", 2014  - Ribbons of hand dyed gray to black along with accents of opalescent organza, quilted with silver thread. Traveling in the Quilts On The Wall exhibit "Shadows". Disappeared from Quiltfest Oasis, October, 2015

"A La Carte",  2013  - Printed imagery of Le Chateau de Vaux Le Vicomte  over a plan of Le Notre's famous garden. Fused applique with sewn embellishments and three dimensional leaves.
Disappeared from Quiltfest Oasis, October, 2015

To date, none of the 100 + quilts have been found.  Warehouses , trucks,  freight  terminals and the Convention Center have been searched.  Security footage has been scoured. The Mancuso organization has offered a $5000 reward to the employees of the decorating company and the freight terminal  in hopes they will turn up. So far, nothing. It now seems that no system of bar coding was used, making an electronic search impossible.  We have been told that all 8 boxes still had their original UPS labels and tracking numbers intact, so if someone finds any of them they might get back to their owners. 

Meanwhile the Mancuso organization is beginning the insurance process, though at this point I’m not sure what that will mean to individual artists. They also suggest that artists search Ebay and Etsy and post their quilts on websites devoted to finding lost and stolen quilt websites.  

I am rather surprised that there has not been more discussion of this issue on the net. No one involved has posted to the SAQA group or to Quiltart that I have seen… The safety of all our artist’s work  is of utmost importance and I thought might have started a lot of dialog.

To say that I am disappointed, heartbroken and angry is, of course, an understatement.  I am mourning my lost quilts, but hoping beyond hope that they will still be found. Whenever I send an art quilt – a piece of myself  - off to a show or exhibit, my heart is always in my mouth until I know that it has arrived. As artists, we have to trust the organizations to which we send our pieces to use all care and diligence in safeguarding them. What happened in this case, after the pieces arrived at their destination is unknown, but it certainly makes me think about to whom I will trust my work in the future

71 comments:

  1. $5000 reward for 100-120 art quilts is a drop in the bucket. I always look at how a place handles art quilts to determine if I will participate in the shows, or exhibit at a venue again. This is extremely unfortunate for you and the other artists. I hope they find them in good shape. Have you posted on http://lostquilt.com/ ??

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  2. Sorry to hear about all these missing quilts. It is still possible that they may turn up.

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  3. Heartbreaking for you, I can feel your emotion. I hope that your quilts are found soon.

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  4. That's incredible Sally. Thank you for posting this and will hope with you that all are recovered. Had a similar instance where a pallet containing a box of quilts was knocked apart along with another pallet and they were reassembled incorrectly. It took a lot of persistent threatening re the insurance to get it back (and there was no intent to steal or malice that I could tell either on the part of the shipper or the accidental recipient).

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  5. I can't believe somebody at the show did not notify you. It is horrible that you had to arrive at the show to find out your quilts were not there. Could a private investigator help with this? I hope they are found.

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  6. My heart breaks as I read this...as a quilt appraiser I always encourage anyone mailing or shipping a quilt to get an appraisal. Not just for the insurance but for the documentation and photos that can help with the recovery. As my Irish Aunt would say, I'm hanging the rosary beads out the window and saying a prayer to St. Anthony that your quilts are found.

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  7. This is shocking, how could so many quilts go missing and the reward money if rather feeble considering the number of them. If everybody shares this post maybe they will turn up - occasionally they do! I feel so sorry for you and all the other quilters

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  8. So disappointing. Hard to even believe. All of us are hoping with you that these works of art are found!

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  9. Sadly I have had a bad experience with the Mancusos and will never enter their shows again. I had 2 quilts in PIQF a couple of years ago, my story is too long to account here, but suffice it to say, the way that quilts are treated by them shows incredible lack of responsibility and professionalism. They did not respond to my letter about it, either. It is only business for them, money in the bank.

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  10. I am so upset about this for you and the other quilters. Hopefully the quilts will be found and returned. Praying to St. Anthony for you. M. Lovejoy

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  11. Unfortunately there was an accident in Kentucky with a UPS truck where both drivers died. Sad on all accounts. You might want to check into it.

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  12. oh gosh.. how awful.. maybe your quilts were on the truck that crashed and burned at beginning of Oct on Interstate 20 in Smith county... the driver and another guy both died in that crash. http://www.kltv.com/story/30212633/ups-confirms-two-employees-died-in-fiery-i-20-crash-wednesday-in-smith-co

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  13. Just heartbreaking. I worked in the shipping business for 37years and know how "freight can go astray". If that is the case, not theft, it will eventually show up, and a clerk will be tasked to figure out "where DOES that box go?". That said, I looked for a RAIL ROAD BOX CAR for 2 years, with a military man's personal effects shipment in it, and never did find it. So, keep it in prayer; post notices in the new papers; at all the freight carriers who may have handled the shipment. I mean in the break room of the local UPS/FDX shop! Make sure photos are posted on LOSTQUILT.com

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  14. Not placing blame but I have heard some previous issues with Mancusco and the handling of their events and the disorganization of their programs. They are NOT a quilt organization but a for-profit event promotion company so quilts mean nothing more to them than a corporate computer display. Not to say that they are at fault, however, shows that are handled by larger quit consortiums and who handle the quilts directly themselves do not have these problems. Quilts are not treated as art to Mancusco, only retail commodities. I do not attend their events for this very reason.

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  15. Enter the photos into an art theft site - apologies that I don't have the name, but it is an _international_ thing - so, they would get international attention. I've googled & there seems to be more than one - (The Art Loss Register) http://www.artloss.com/en - (FBI) https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/vc_majorthefts/arttheft - (Art Claim) http://artclaim.com/ - (Lost Art Database) http://www.lostart.de/Webs/EN/Start/Index.html - (Cultural Plunder) http://www.errproject.org/jeudepaume/ - (Worldwide online stolen art links) http://www.saztv.com/page9.html -

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  16. I am heartbroken for you. I shipped off 2 quilts to a show last week. I explained to the man packaging them that I felt like I was putting my babies in a box. I don't think he understood.

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  17. Try posting to this site: http://lostquilt.com/

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  18. This is just horrible! I'm surprised, also, that this is the 1st I've heard about this. We need to spread the word to help in the search.

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  19. Dreadful that this has happened. I hope the missing art turns up. I had a mini quilt stolen from a shop I had loaned it to. Not a nice thing to happen.

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  20. This has happened before, but I believe it was only 1 or 2 quilts. Not implying that was better, however just not new. Still hoping that it was an honest mistake and they turn up real soon. Don't like knowing that there are some unscrupulous people in the world. Praying for a better outcome.

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  21. How awful. it's a very small reward for such a large number of quilts and by no means reflects the work care and love put into the quilts. But it's not about the money, each quilt contains a part of those of us who make them, they are personal and precious.

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  22. I have never entered a show. I just hear so many stories it scares me off. This one is particularly tragic but even at the show things frequently happen. I don't know, maybe someday I'll find the nerve. It's been 30 years now .Tracey

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  23. Fiona has only recently started Quilting and I have seen the sweat and tears that go into producing such pieces of art. I hope that at some point they do turn up Never give up.

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  24. I had a piece shipped to LaConner by UPS and it went missing for 3 months, so I feel your pain. I truly hope they find them.

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  25. I'm praying really hard that they are just sitting on the pallet somewhere in a dark corner of a warehouse unnoticed and someone will spy them soon.

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  26. How sad!
    there is a place in Utah that auctions off "lost and found" shipments from UPS, Fedex, and Usps (I think)…I had several art pieces go missing from a shipment to a gallery…they were not found, until a lady contacted me asking me about pricing on one of the originals she had aquired at an auction there. That place is in the business of "researching" lost items - they could not find me for two years. The lady that bought the painting - found me in two weeks…
    Maybe check with that place - just in case your quilts show up there…good luck!

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  27. I am so sorry for your loss. I'm hoping that all the quilts will be found, and maybe more than that, I'm hoping that there's an innocent explanation. Peace.

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  28. This is inexpressibly sad. I have posted it to my Statewide quilt group on Facebook in case wider awareness helps. Have you shared this information with LostQuilt.com? The website has a Facebook presence as well.

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  29. Always sad to hear when this happens and it is a problem that I fear puts many amazing quilt shows at risk. We really do need a better tracking tool for quilts, mixed media art, fibre arts, etc.. I'm hopeful this is just a very bad mistake and your quilts will be found quickly. In the meantime, I'm happy to help increase awareness and will share on Facebook and Twitter right now. Did you submit to Lost Quilt Come Home http://lostquilt.com/ ?

    QuiltShopGal
    www.quiltshopgal.com

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  30. I cannot imagine the sickening feeling of losing your work. Not to mention all of the other lost pieces of art. I hope they are recovered. This is insane!

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  31. Thank you so much for posting this. I hadn't heard anything about it but I'll definitely spread the word. This is ridiculous!

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  32. i posted your info to MQP by the AQS. this is heart breaking! i pray they all find thier way home.

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  33. I hope the police are involved. It sounds like they were stolen. How about writing an article for the SAQA Journal? I haven't seen any posts on the Yahoo list yet, but the more people who know about them, the more eyes will be looking for them.

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  34. How awful! Somebody has to know what happened to those boxes of quilts. They need to interview everyone, check video footage as well as scour the last premises where the quilts paused. I hate it but I would check the dumpster and landfill too.

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  35. How awful!!! Praying they show up soon.

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  36. I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how upset you and the other artists must be. I hope they are found and returned to you as soon as possible.

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  37. I first heard about this on the Art Quilts facebook page last night, and that's how I found your post here. Out of curiosity, I Googled. I found nothing. I am a very good Googler. I searched the Mancuso facebook page. Nothing. Not one word. Nothing on the Lost Quilt facebook page or site. So exactly how is the word supposed to get out? How are other quilters and sewers supposed to know and keep and eye out, possibly help scan the internet? I don't know about anyone else, but if I had ever thought about submitting a quilt to a contest or show, I doubt I would do it now - and certainly not to a Mancuso-run show. For while one or two folks on Art Quilts are defending them as sincere people, and they may be, it's obvious that they would rather HIDE this theft than get the word out, to do whatever it takes to find YOUR work. I am absolutely disgusted and the entire situation and am sick over it for you and all the other artists. I, for one, want to know where in the HELL I can find one internet page that shows a photo of each and every stolen quilt so that I know what we're all supposed to be searching for!

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  38. I have just recently had "one" quilt go missing and I am devastated. I cannot begin to imagine your pain....mine arrived was signed for along with 6 books and now cannot be found. I pray that they are recovered for you xx

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  39. I did read about the missing quilts on Del Thomas's blog on 10/15, so there has been some discussion. It sounds as if there is an investigation going on, which I hope will result in finding your work. Also have to say I scrolled down to your post about your appearance on Jeopardy. I felt as if I knew you, because I recall this episode. I've liked the show since I was a kid but can't imagine going on. Congratulations on your courage!

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  40. This is just heartbreaking!! To lose a quilt is to lose a part of yourself. I feel you pain I had an art piece go missing never to be found, so I believe it was stolen. No explanation was adequate and the piece cannot be duplicated. I pray that all the quilts are returned soon. I am surprised that this has not been in the news as the sheer number of quilts is staggering. This should be front page news! ! Perhaps the organizers prefer to keep this quiet... for that reason maybe we quilters should make some noise!!!!

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  41. The quilts were delivered and signed for. The last known location is in the hands of they workers. That show needs to be responsible for this, and to offer a much larger reward. Frankly, if the show can lose, let's conservatively say 120 at $1,000 each...$120,000 worth of hand-made quilts, they need to offer a LOT more than $5k. That's barely $42 each. Mass-produced quilts made overseas resell, used, for more than that!

    Please share pics of as many of them as you can so we can keep an eye out.

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  42. I attended that show and I was curious about the signs that were up on the dividers. I"m so sorry to hear that they are MIA. I hope that they are eventually recovered.

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  43. I have been praying for the safe and quick return of the quilts ever since I first read about their disappearance. I will continue. I hope your beautiful quilts find their way back to you as soon as possible. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

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  44. This makes me so sad! Please fill out an online report on the Lost Quilt website, http://lostquilt.com/report/ and I'll try to get them posted as soon as possible.

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  45. How heartbreaking for you & everyone involved. I really hope there is no theft involved and that they just turn up, will be keeping fingers crossed for you.

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  46. This just breaks my heart that you are going through this. I've seen several FB posts about it and that is really good. We all can keep our eyes out if any one of them may show up on different online selling venues - but, my hope is that they have been routed to different places and will make their way back to you. I will surely keep watching different selling places to see if one shows up. Prayers are with you.......

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  47. to some quilters, one quilt is worth $5,000. I think the amount offered is insulting. I think putting this outright on facebook and every venue you can possibly think of is reasonable. I hope you find your lost quilts. My sister is a quilter and I know the worth of a quilt!

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  48. I think that a $5,000 reward is an insult for even one quilt. I kow the worth of a quilt to a quilter. No one but the seamstress herself knows the time and effort that goes into a piece of art. I hope that you reclaim your work, as does everyone else.

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  49. I hope you get your quilts back soon..

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  50. I hadn't heard this until someone shared it on Facebook. I'm so sorry about this. I hope that they are able to find the quilts. I will spread the word.

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  51. So sorry this has happened. It time for electronic tracking chips to be sewed in!

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  52. Unfortunately there is no amount of money that can replace these quilts. I hope they turn up.

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  53. Please someone must have seen some of them....Give them back, or God will punish you....!!! So sad, good luck.

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  54. Sally. Can ypu post individual images of your work on Facebook. Please

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  55. PS, the shipping company was YRC Freight according to Leslie Tucker Jenison.

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  56. We're these all your quilts or a group of different artist? Who was the shipper for the quilts? This is why I heavily insure ANYTHING I ship!

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  57. Lisa Calle had a similar experience when she came to Canada to teach a class last summer. She finally recovered her quilts but would not have without great effort from herself and her quilting friends. Check out her blog of July 20th 2015. Perhaps you will gain some info to help you out.
    https://lisacalle.wordpress.com/2015/07/

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  58. Sally, I am so sorry. As a return quilter, I truly understand. Our quilts really do have a story to tell from the heart.

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  59. Two of the quilts are now posted on the Lost Quilt website:
    http://lostquilt.com/2015/status/missing/aged-entry-all-are-welcome/
    and
    http://lostquilt.com/2015/status/missing/nightshadows/

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  60. What a nightmare! Even if the artists were reimbursed for the loss of their quilts, how would that compensate for the inspiration and time invested in pieces that can never be replicated. I hope, hope, hope that they will be found unmolested.

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  61. As an owner of two of the quilts that were lost, it has been devastating. Fingers crossed that we will recover our lost valuables.

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  62. Don't give up hope that they will resurface. I shipped a Christmas gift that was lost in the mail and arrived three months later. Learned a lesson though---it was insured, but to be reimbursed I would have needed to provide an original receipt of purchase! How would you do this for a quilt?

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  63. this is so sad...My heart really aches over this. So much time and work...just gone. Hopefully Mancuso will take this devastating loss seriously and take a look at how they do things in the future. They haven't changed or updated their technology in years. I have left comments over the years to add new technology to make their shows more interactive, and up to date. Either they don't respond or reply that it is in the process. The quilts disappeared on their watch. Maybe now they will act in a proactive and positive manner.

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  64. Wow, I was told these quilts were found. I also heard it was UPS, but sounds like another shipping company. I never heard of YRC!!!! I'd pay extra to use the Postal Service and get a signature required. Then they can't be left without a release on them!!!

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  65. this is heartbreaking, and all your fellow artisans are mourning with you! Absolutely terrible!

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  66. Some groups are saying they've been found - I hope this is true?

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  67. Glad to hear they have been found.

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  68. Thank you for this posting. I did not lose a quilt, but a friend of a friend here in San Diego did, and my understanding is that those involved were asked to keep it quiet, which makes no sense at all. Those of you who have worked so hard and lost so much should be talking about this for a multitude of reasons. I'm glad you've started the conversation and hope this story has a good ending. My heart goes out to all of you.

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  69. My quilt was among the missing. As were 24 other quilts from my group, The Art Quilt Association in Grand Junction, CO. They were put on a pallet with several other group exhibits, and it was lost in transit. We were notified last night that the pallet had turned up, but have not heard an explanation as yet. Sally, I hope you have heard by now that your quilts were found. Please post again, maybe on Facebook? I would love to have the two photos of the empty exhibit space if you will send them to my Other message folder on FB. --Wendy Bain

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