When Renata Merrill began quilting in 2011, she could barely see out of her left eye after undergoing brain surgery to remove a benign tumor pressing on her optic nerve.
Through quilting, she began a healing process and rediscovered herself as a wife, mother, and community leader. She also turned a hobby into a passion with strong ties to her African American heritage.
Her work, on display through Feb. 19 at the Camden FireWorks art gallery, reflects her personal style, life experiences, and perseverance after a health scare that threatened her vision. Her bold, vibrant quilt exhibit is titled "New Beginnings," to tell her story.
