Hanging proudly on the wall of Clark CGA is a striking quilt. Its bold patterns and vivid colors immediately draw the eye, but it’s more than just decoration. Each square, stitched nearly 30 years ago, tells a story of geography, design, memory, and tribute. It stands as a symbolic thread connecting past and present.

Earlier this year, Clark CGA had the honor of welcoming back Anne Gibson, the quilt’s creator and a former employee who began her journey at Clark Labs in 1992 as Manager of the Cartography and Info Graphics Lab. Reuniting after 35 years, she shared the story behind her creation—crafted between 1995 and 1997, during a time of change at the Labs.

When Clark Labs relocated from Jefferson to 921 Main Street, Anne helped design a new website aimed at engaging undergraduate students. At the time, the university was encouraging students to participate in research early, and the website highlighted projects led by both faculty and students. While developing digital graphics and web elements, Anne was inspired by the geometric forms and emerging aesthetics of early digital mapping.

Those visuals sparked the idea for a quilt—one that would translate digital concepts into a lasting piece of art. Over several months, she pieced together designs from geospatial imagery, software artwork, and web graphics. The result bridges traditional cartography with the rise of digital geospatial technology.

“This quilt is to honor Ron,” Anne shared, referencing Ron Eastman: professor emeritus of geography, creator of the TerrSet software, visionary founder of Clark Labs, and her former supervisor. Her quilt now hangs as a centerpiece at Clark CGA, honoring Ron’s leadership and the creativity of the Clark Labs community.

As Clark CGA carries forward over 35 years of impactful work—fueled by its merger with Clark Labs—the quilt remains a reminder of the center’s evolution. It celebrates a time when innovation met intention, and when students became active participants in shaping research and discovery.

With every visitor who pauses to admire it, the quilt quietly continues its work—telling the story of a place where science meets art, and where legacy is not only remembered, but lived.