Bill Stearman

This summer is chock full of shows, projects and teaching for the spirited and passionate Queer quilt maker Bill Stearman. Always pushing the limits of his chosen medium, he plays an active role within the local fabric of the community as well as the broader arts community using art as a powerful form of activism.

Recently, he participated as a Mentor in the County Arts Mentorship Program along with queer dancer, writer and educator, Arwyn Carpenter. He also co-hosted Craftivism at The Department of Illumination with fellow artist Nell Casson, leading participants in creating large fabric banners with themes of equality, environmental activism, 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and more.

“As an artist and a quilt maker, I build narratives into fabric. As a storyteller and a social activist, I try speak to the voices of the marginalized, with the voice of someone who is marginalized. My quilts become a canvas to address social issues and to inspire change. Through my art, my goal is to create beauty, to provoke thought, to foster a sense of community and justice, and to change the world … one quilt at a time.”

Read on to learn more about what he has coming up this summer, what he’s excited about, and important advice to artists who are just starting out.

Tell us about any upcoming projects you have going on:

I’ve got a lot on the horizon right now.

Five of my quilts made it into Canada’s national quilt show, Quilt Canada, and they’re en route to Edmonton, AB. Throughout June, some of my work will be showcased in the ‘We Are Here – The Queer Lens of the County’ art show at Kindred Shop and Studio. Later in June, I’ll be involved in a ‘Costume Making’ workshop with The Department of Illumination to help folks add vibrancy to their outfits for a Pride-In-the Park sidewalk parade.

My husband, Larry Tayler, and I also have a new Pride button campaign for this year, ‘Now … More Than Ever.’ These buttons and a new supply of pronoun buttons will be available in a few Picton stores soon.

On June 9th, I’ll be the guest speaker at the Pride Service at Cressy Glenora United Church.

I’m excitedly gearing up to teach a ‘Quilt Making – Words & Stories‘ class at Loyalist College in Belleville from July 22nd to 26th. It’s a class I originally designed for Haliburton School of Art and Design. I’m looking forward to teaching it closer to home and maybe carpooling with County folks.

Earlier in the year, I made 28 fundraising quilts that are available for purchase every Saturday until Halloween at the Wellington Farmers’ Market. Profit supports local community projects and programs. It’s a chance for folks to not only purchase artwork, but also to contribute to impactful social change. Last year, we raised $2800. This year, my goal is $4000.

What have you worked on recently that has you excited, either personally or professionally?

I’m working on a series of quilts that will be a record of Canadian Queer history within my lifetime. As someone who has lived through that history, I am concerned that the progress we’ve made in Queer rights may be forgotten, become taken for granted, or even be taken away. These quilts will document Supreme Court decisions and Parliamentary acts that advanced Canadian Queer rights, but they’ll also have QR Codes that will connect to my own recorded, parallel story; multi-media quilts. My plan is to personalize decades of progress, add a face to this history and show how personal this history is to so many of us.

Where in the County do you find the most creative inspiration? 

For me, inspiration comes from within, drawn from my lived experiences. Since moving to Prince Edward County in 2000, I’ve found that this place nurtures my soul, frees my spirit, and encourages me to be my true self. I don’t have a particular spot that inspires. The County itself is my ‘heart home’ and a crucial part of my work and my identity.

What advice would you give to artists just starting out in their careers?

Always speak your truth, even if your voice shakes. Take risks, but make sure that your work remains honest and authentic. Don’t imitate; focus on being yourself and make your work a genuine extension of who you are.