About Joy Clark

HALL OF FAME

April 2025

Wow, this last week has been overwhelming with so many mixed emotions since I received notification from the South African Quilters Guild to inform me that I have been inducted into the South African Quilters Hall of Fame, - An honor indeed, one which I have never thought would be in my quilting journey.
I have been a proud member of the SAQG since 2008 and am a member of the DIAS Quilters' Guild, KZN Quilters Guild and Hibiscus Quilters' Guild.   So many quilters and quilting teachers have been such a tremendous influence and support since the day I discovered quilts as I had never seen before at the DIAS Spring Show in 2007.  It was a life-changing experience indeed.  I am grateful to every teacher who has taught me.  I'm passionate about participating in shows, as I always think there could be somebody like me.... who loves what they see enough to be inspired & get involved with this awesome adventure with fabric and thread.  Thank you South African Quilters Guild for considering my work good enough... I am over the moon!

https://www.quiltsouthafrica.co.za/quilters-hall-of-fame

​I am the proverbial ‘jack of all trades’ and have spent forever dabbling in arts and crafts and fabric.  I have gradually filtered out the crafts and hobbies and am now primarily focused on Quilting as I really enjoy sewing, especially when one can create works of art with the amazing techniques and fabrics that are so popular at this time.   

I have no formal art training, but I love to learn and am always on a path of discovery.  I feel that in quilting, and in art, there is no better teacher than continuous practice and to this end I keep on working and can see the improvement in my work as I work my way through piles of canvases, fabrics and materials! 

In the wonderful 'world of quilting' we are blessed with so many amazing talented quilters who inspire us and wonderful teachers who are dedicated to help us to grow.  

I have been taught by the best teachers in S.A. and I remain grateful to each of them for what they have taught me.   

To name a few: 

Paul Schutte, Mari Strydom, Marilyn Pretorius, 

Yolande Swinford-Meyer, Elaine Barnard, Rosalie Dace, 

Diana Vandeyar, Kathryn Harmer-Fox, Antoinette Kriel, 

Claire Wallace, Telene Jeffrey, Anne Thorburn. 

My dear friend, my mentor and biggest inspiration has been Charmaine de Freitas.  Thank you for the part you have played in my journey as a quilter.

Member of

SAQG (South African Quilters' Guild) www.quiltsouthafrica.co.za

DIAS Quilters' Guild

 https://diasquilters.co.za

Kwazulu-Natal Quilters' Guild

www.kznquiltersguild.co.za

Hibiscus Quilters' Guild

 Bernina RSA Competitions:

 2nd Prize,  "Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Dream-coat Competition" - Crazy Patched Wall Quilt.

2nd Prize for "Arty Table Runner"

​

 2017 South African National Festival "Siyadala"  Port Elizabeth

 Highly Commended - Open Category Standard - Bed Quilt "My Dresden Bloom"

 Highly Commended - Wall Quilts Pictorial Standard - Color-wash Quilt  "Everlasting Bouquet"

 First Prize - Wall Quilts Pictorial Standard - Portrait Quilt "Exuberance" ***

***Master Quilter Status Awarded for "Exuberance"

2019 South African National Festival "Interchange" Johannesburg

2nd Prize "Equilibrium" Pictorial Quilt Portrait

Judges' Choice "Illusion" Pictorial Quilt

 2022 South African National Festival "Diversity" Stellenbosch

 Highly Commended - Bed Quilts Pieced / Appliqued "How Does My Garden Grow"

2024 SA International Festival "Voices in Cloth" Pietermaritzburg, KZN

3rd Prize Bed Quilts Masters "Solanum"

3rd Prize Pictorial Wall Quilts Masters " Cherish"

Note: 

2 fabulous quilts made by Marie Meyer and 1 beautiful quilt by Antoinette Kriel, all in Collaborative Category 

which were quilted by me won prizes - How exciting!