In other words, each quilt has a distinct subject message that combines with their visual artistry to make the viewer think.

“I had the idea probably five years ago, and it came to me I would say as a calling. I wanted to brush it off, but I let it marinate. I feel that images are the gateway to the soul. And if we had big quilts with big powerful meanings, it would impact people,” Marshall says via Zoom.

Rubin then came onboard (Marshall calls her the project’s “fire cannon”) and the pair began reaching out to individual artists who might be able to create works within the scope and theme of “Soul Stories.”

It will feature 21 works in total, with some artists represented by more than one piece. Subjects include climate change, homelessness, hardships, the commonality of life, animal behavior, historical figures, feminism, spirituality, and death. The creators discuss their motivations/meanings in their Artist’s Statements, which will be displayed with the quilts.

Important is the confluence among spirit, myth, and science, which Marshall says “is about telling the big story of the human condition.” And she hopes that the messages resonate with Festivalgoers.

As for Rubin, seeing that overlap is “one of my hobbies.” “I’m really interested in things that Indigenous people have always known that turn out to be true and proved through science. Like things that are discovered in the Amazon rainforest that end up being crucial elements of modern medicine,” she offers on the same Zoom call. “That’s what’s exciting about this group of artists. They see this too.”

“Soul Stories” is definitely an exhibit of social importance. But some viewers will see the messages in the fabric as controversial, especially those who don’t think quilts need to address real-world issues. Rubin—who has been involved as a participating artist, curator, or sponsor of many such exhibits over the years—is nonplussed by any potential negative reaction.

“I think that we are speaking not just to mothers and grandmothers, but anybody who cares for people and has a heart,” Rubin says. “We live in a time where things are polarized and politicized, but these are about ethics and compassion, not politics. We are approaching these topics with heart and soul. We live in a chaotic soup at the moment. And we’re tapping into what’s happening in our community. Particularly women of a certain age.”

Marshall adds that she thinks this exhibit will touch something in everybody. “They will be affected by the sheer magnitude of the messages on display. And it’s my hope that they may take action whether it’s something in their own selves or they extend outwardly.”

“Soul Stories” will make its world premiere in Houston. After that, the exhibit will next year travel to the New England Quilt Museum and UK’s Festival of Quilts in Birmingham. Rubin is also booking venues for 2027 and 2028 and will be adding artists to create more works including Gail Garber, Susan Brubaker Knapp, and Sue de Vanny.

“I really want to thank the artists, because they have really exceeded our expectations,” Rubin sums up. “It’s called ‘Soul Stories.’ And there are a lot of stories here.”