The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library is showcasing Patricia Schust’s handcrafted quilts in their gallery, throughout February and March.
Schust, 69, a Uniondale School District alumna who resides in North Merrick, has been quilting for 40 years.
Her gallery “Threaded Visions” features three pieces made out of neck ties, one large piece draped over a pole and numerous quilts, which fill the walls and display cases. Along with decoupage plates and shells with a Valentine’s theme.
“These are truly some of the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever seen,” said Michelle Young, director of the HWPL.
Schuster was not the original artist to be featured during these months, and filled in on a last-minute notice.
“She’s the best backup showing we’ve ever had,” Young said. “She’s an incredible person and extremely talented.”
The library will be hosting an artist reception on March 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. for the community to personally meet with Schuster.
“It Means a lot to the library to not just showcase traditional art but different kinds of art being expressed,” she added. “I feel like her quilts are on a level of an oil painting because they are all so unique and beautiful.”
Young said that Schust uses texture in her pieces and was creative within the pieces along with on top of them.
“It’s such a joy to see her pieces,” Young said. “Every time I go downstairs, It’s like I’m seeing it for the first time because it’s that stunning.”
Librarian Diana Brewster organized Schust’s art gallery and reached out to her after hearing about her quilt show at the North Bellmore Public Library.
“I found out Patricia was having a quilt show at the library so I reached out to her to do a virtual art show here at the library,” Brewster said. “She wanted to do a physical show and we had a last minute opening for the February and March time slot for 2026. “
Brewster said her artwork is amazing and that the quilts were different and intricate.
“I’m happy that the library was able to host an art show for Patricia,” she said.
Schuster had been encouraged to do art since she was in elementary school and her mother bought her first set of oil paints.
“My mother always encouraged anything that had to do with art,” Schuster said. “From what I remember, whenever there was something that had to be done in school artistically I was always chosen to do it.”
She continued to pursue art throughout her time in school and always knew she would go to college for art.
Schust went to Adelphi University where she was in the fine arts program. She has held numerous jobs in the art field over the years.
As a retired librarian, Schust is dedicated all of her time to quilting and spends her days in her quilt room.
“I just create every single say, in one way or another,” she said.
This is her third consecutive year of showcasing her talents in art galleries in libraries across Long Island.
“Oftentimes I hear people looking at a quilt exhibit saying things like ‘look at all of these beautiful blankets,” Schust said. “Quilts are more than blankets, each one tells a story. From early times when they were pieced with love from well-worn clothing carrying with it memories from those who wore the items.”
