By Monty Siekerman
Janet Roll says there is a lot of math in quilting...and she should know because she is a math teacher and an expert quilter. Four of her wall hangings are on display at the Gallery for the Arts through March.
Janet has made quilts for queen-sized beds, wall hangings, and table runners. Her style? She calls it eclectic, very colorful. She puts together some quilts in the traditional style, however. Occasionally, she will use a pattern but mostly she devises the design herself.
Math drew her to Ada in 1976 having landed a job teaching at Ohio Northern. After four years teaching here, she taught at the University of Findlay. Then she retired, so to speak. Nowadays, she does both. She again teaches two math courses at ONU and continues to make quilts.
She has always sewn, but after her first retirement she found time to take up quilting. Her quilts are shown at shows throughout northwest Ohio, and she has garnered some prizes for her handiwork.
She is also known for the quilt she made of the stained glass window that was installed at the new Ada First United Methodist Church. She said that took a year to make. Janet loans the quilt of the window to the church whenever they want to display it for a special occasion. She also helps with the quilt that the church raffles off every fall during the Harvest and Herb Fest.
She is active in the West Central Ohio Quilt Guild, where she has taught at their annual retreat several times. She said that guild members do charity work each year. This year they are producing pillow cases for hospitals.
Ruth Roider, proprietor of the Gallery for the Arts, explained that her business provides a place for local artists to display their work. Janet’s wall hanging are not for sale, but other locally-made art work is, such as ceramics, wooden pieces, jewelry, photographs, and clothing.
Her shop/gallery is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 115 S. Main.
