Quilt museum director feted at Sunday retirement ceremony

During her retirement reception at Gaches Mansion on Sunday, Amy Green visualized her lengthy tenure as executive director of the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum.

Then Green saw her 11-year career stop in La Conner literally unveiled before her gaze.

About a half-hour into the afternoon farewell ceremony, museum board member Joy Neal surprised Green with a handsome bookshelf quilt whose squares bear images and symbols reflecting her time in La Conner and highlight many of the versatile artist's favorite pursuits.

Neal said the idea for the gifted quilt dates to last fall and was the result of input from the museum's staff and board members, all of whom wanted to acknowledge Green's key contributions to the local museum.

"We were talking in October about what we could do for Amy, and this is what we decided on," Neal told the Weekly News. "We came up with a long list of things that she likes and, of course, it had to have a pug in it. It was a lot of fun to do."

Green is moving to the East Coast next month along with her devoted pug Pippin, the museum's popular mascot.

The presentation, made before a large throng of admirers who squeezed into the museum's parlor, was emotional.

Green reached for a pocket-sized package of tissues at one point.

"I was really worried somebody was going to do this," she said, her voice cracking.

Quickly regaining her composure, Green recalled having been asked after leaving the famed Georgia O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe, N.M., what she would consider her true dream job.

"I said it would be to direct a fiber arts center," Green said. "A year later I was here. This isn't a fiber arts center, but it's better.

"It's been a real honor to be the executive director here," she said. "I've gotten to meet and work with some of the greatest artists in the world."

Green specifically referenced the Japanese quilters whose displayed works have long been a favorite feature at the museum.

Among those attending the reception honoring Green was Geoff Hamada, the Seattle quilt artist who chaired the museum's board when she was hired in 2013, and Kathleen Kok, the first curator with whom Green worked upon her arrival.

"I couldn't have made it through that first year without Kathleen," Green said.

Kok had a slightly different recollection.

"I drove you crazy," she said.

"I want to thank everybody for your support, the opportunity to work here, and your friendship," said Green. "The board members who have served here are amazing. They're so committed and passionate about what they do."

Ditto Green.

Amidst the reception, Green described current exhibits and shared the museum's mission with tourists who stopped by for regular Sunday visits to Gaches Mansion.

Her days here are winding down. Green officially steps down July 25. Then it's off to the Berkshires in rural western Massachusetts, well noted for its fall foliage and farm-to-table scene.

She invited her La Conner friends and museum colleagues to visit. Preferably in autumn.

"It has some of the most beautiful leaf peeping in the world," Green said.

Winter weather promises to be harsher in the New England highlands.

Fortunately for Green, the new quilt will keep her warm with fond memories of La Conner and the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum.