With the holiday season upon us, we have selected a special Quilt of the Month from a one-of-a-kind artist — "A Gift from the Sky" by Shizuko Kuroha. 

This piece shows several six-pointed stars resembling snowflakes on a blue backdrop of inch-and-a-half triangles. This piece came to the IQM in 2020 as a gift from the Robert and Ardis James Foundation. 

As one of the earliest and most influential quilters in Japan, Kuroha captured the attention of Robert & Ardis James in the 1980s. The Jameses purchased several of her quilts that are now part of the collection at the International Quilt Museum.

Kuroha passed away on Oct. 21, 2024. We are honored to steward and share her work for the next generation of quilters.

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