This piece of artwork is part of an exhibition called “Odyssey” by UMSL alumna Rachel Heim. Her series of handmade quilts will be on display Jan. 23 to Feb. 27 at Gallery Visio.

Quilts aren’t just quaint bedding that grandmothers make. A whole new generation has adopted the art form. A series of handmade quilts will be the focus of the next exhibit in Gallery Visio at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

UMSL alumna Rachel Heim, BFA 2011, is a quilt artist who uses traditional and nontraditional quilting techniques to create pictorial narratives giving viewers a visual journey of her life experiences.

“Odyssey,” an exhibition of Heim’s handmade quilts, will run from Jan. 23 through Feb. 27. There will be an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Heim was inspired by her grandmother who taught her the process of quilting. As an artist, she now builds upon this childhood memory, exploring past and current experiences and emotions. This will be Heim’s first solo exhibit.

Heim has displayed her work in the Regional Arts Commission and the Koken Art Factory in St. Louis.