Comments: Each January starting in 1990, Ann attended a week-long quilt retreat at a YMCA camp called Point Bonita, in Marin County, “just a little west of the Golden Gate”.

Ann went there that first year prepared to focus on quilt making but quickly learned that the 70 or so other women there appreciated a little bit of music now and then. So she had her husband send up her baritone saxophone (she was an accomplished musician, composer and arranger) with a late arrival. She got a group from her workroom to join her in serenading those working in the other room. Playing “While the Saints Come Marching In” she led the group while they were snipping their scissors in unison. It brought the house down.

In later years, Ann would hold a more ‘formal’ performance. Many chipped in bits of fabric as tips for Ann’s playing (what avid quilter wouldn’t rather have more fabric than money?), which she later turned into this piece. Having grown up in farming country and being a musician, Ann naturally appreciated the choice of music and animal motifs.

The work itself is in multiple sections, each attached to the others with Velcro strips. The idea is that it can be re-assembled multiple ways, but it turns out to be a big aid in displaying it as few rooms have 11-foot high ceilings!