About the Exhibition
This exhibition features quilted works by an artist who holds a high appreciation for Guatemala and Maya culture. The colors and textures of the landscape and the abundance of textiles that the artist observed when exploring this region are interwoven throughout her works. The Maya culture is rich with history and traditions that have persevered through time in spite of hardship and civil wars. They pass on their weaving techniques and incorporate their local symbolism into future generations.
The artist, Kathleen McCabe, says, “Guatemala and the Maya culture have a special place in my heart. I have travelled to the highlands numerous times … The Maya people work hard and value family. They live simple lives in simple structures… With this exhibit, I have tried to capture snippets of the Maya colors and textures. It is my hope that the viewer experiences some of that wonder via my snapshots of the Guatemala highlands.”
Kathleen is offering both a lecture and a craft program as free events here at VMOTA in conjunction with her exhibition.
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Exhibition Gallery
Brown Shed, Solcaja 2026
Commercial and hand dyed fabrics, embroidery floss, colored pencils, batting, and thread. Fused and machine raw edge applique, machine quilting, hand stitched edges.
Hijos 2026
Rusted fabric, botanical dyed fabric, commercial fabrics, fusible web, batting, thread, Prisma colored pencils. Machine raw-edge appliqué, machine quilted.
La Linea 2021
Guatemalan fabrics, worry dolls, and threads, embroidery floss, foam, batting, and thread. Hand quilting, hand and machine construction, machine applique.
Market Day, Chichicastenango 2025
Guatemalan hand-woven fabrics, embroidery floss, hand dyed cottons, commercial fabrics, batting, and thread. Machine and hand raw-edge appliqué, machine quilting, hand-stitched edges.
Pink & Yellow House, Santiago 2026
Commercial and hand dyed fabrics, colored pencils, embroidery floss, batting and thread. Fused and machine raw-edge appliqué, machine quilting, hand-stitched edges.
Shed with Wooden Doors, Santiago 2022
Hand dyed and commercial cottons, colored pencils, hand woven Guatemalan fabric backing, batting, and thread. Fused and machine raw-edge appliqué, machine quilting.
Sisters 2005
Guatemalan fabrics, belts, and thread; embroidery thread, batting, found objects, crystal, beads. Raw-edge appliqué, couching, machine piecing, hand quilting.
Steep Street, San Pedro Laguna 2025
Commercial and hand dyed fabrics, colored pencils, embroidery floss, batting, and thread. Fused and machine raw-edge appliqué, machine quilting, hand-stitched edges.
Venta de Ropa, Santiago 2025
Commercial and hand dyed fabrics, colored pencils, embroidery floss, batting, and thread. Fused and machine raw-edge appliqué, machine quilting, hand-stitched edges.
Woman with Flowers 2026
Hand dyed cottons, huipil, pearl cotton, embroidery floss, batting, and thread. Fused, hand, and machine raw-edge appliqué, machine quilting.
Artist’s Statement
I believe that people have a fundamental connection with fabric. Using this medium, I strive to capture the beauty of a moment, the spontaneity of an expression, and the quality of human interaction. I am completely comfortable with my scissors; combining that with my sewing machine, the work takes on a life of its own. I become lost in the process.
About the Artist
Kathleen McCabe
Kathleen has been creating with cloth since the fifth grade, later earning an applied design degree from San Diego State University. She has previously served on the Visions Board (2001-2004) and acted as a regional representative and exhibitions committee member for Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA). Kathleen’s work is exhibited nationally and internationally, published in numerous books and publications, and displayed in public and private collections.
Financial support is provided by the City of San Diego.
This activity is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency.
