I have met women all over this country who love art. They were teachers or students at schools and museums where I came as a visiting lecturer, or where there was an exhibition of my work. Often as I talked about my work, explaining my idea of “connection” to them, I asked for a "souvenir” handkerchief, a bit of lace, an apron, a tea towel — some object from their past which they would be willing to have “recycled" in my paintings. I saw this as a way to preserve the history of embroidered, often anonymous works which are our "connection" to women’s past. I have used the pieces women sent me in these collage-paintings. — MIRIAM SCHAPIRO