Head of the Class

by Marcia Barker, Vice President of Education for Quilts, Inc.

Marcia Moves On

Column #12

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A new year—a new decade! Change is all around us, and our Education Department is no different. We are gearing up for new events and topics at spring Market in Pittsburgh and a whole new summer Festival back in Long Beach this July—all while ushering in a new phase of leadership.

 

Yes, you may have heard by now that I am retiring next month and Suzanne Hyland will be taking over as Director of Education and Industry Relations—a super choice and a truly lovely person with whom to work.

 

​Suzanne Hyland

I am thrilled to think of the impact she will have on the future of Education as a department, and on the industry as a whole. Her breadth and depth of knowledge provide a stable foundation for both thoughtful decision-making and exciting vision. Whether you are reading this as a faculty member, student, show attendee, exhibitor, or artist, I promise you great things to look forward to in 2020 and beyond. Look for upcoming announcements of Long Beach details and for those of you headed to Pittsburgh, know that Education will be offering some great events to not only provide business information, but a new platform to support the growth and unity of the industry.

 

I too, have much to look forward to as I embrace my next adventure. Thankfully, I learned at a young age the importance of truly understanding that life is, indeed, a series of phases. You do not have to do it all, all at once. Simply pay attention as different strengths/interests ebb and flow throughout the journey and squeeze the most enjoyment and appreciation out of every moment, every opportunity.

 

​Judy Murrah and Karey Bresenhan

I have been blessed with tremendous opportunities at Quilts, Inc. over the past 20 years and I have two gracious ladies to thank for that—Judy Murrah & Karey Bresenhan, always supportive every inch of the way.

 

As phases go, my life brought me some rather harsh changes over the past couple of years. But at the time, I chose to stay the course here at Quilts, Inc. Now, it is time for me to choose a new path that will allow me to focus, explore, travel, and enjoy the people and places most dear to me. What I have learned here will always be a part of me and the many wonderful people I have met will remain friends. I will miss the anticipation of and preparation for the “next show,” but I have no doubt that my travels will continue to intersect this industry and the people I have come to enjoy so much.

 

Every Christmas at the Quilts, Inc. Christmas party, Karey closes the event with the reading of a special essay. I’ve always found it to be a timeless reminder and the sentiment seems fitting at this closure as well. I hope you agree.

 

What Will Matter?

By Michael Josephson

So, what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success, but your significance.

What will matter is not what your learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you know, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.

What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that will live in those who loved you.

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose to live a life that matters.

 

So, I sign off with fondness for all here who have impacted my life here at Quilts—I wish you well and hope to see you while shopping the show floor or maybe even sitting next to me in a class! Wouldn’t that be fun?

 

Keep up the good work!

 

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