ONLINE | In Conversation: Emma Alcazar and Nikki Corbett, Moderated by Veruschka Zarate

Hear from the designers of the second two block patterns in the museum’s Quilt Along. Quilter and fiber artist Emma Alcazar (Chickasaw) and artist, cultural educator, sewing instructor Nikki Corbett (Yup'ik) will discuss the inspiration behind their block patterns. The conversation will be moderated by Veruschka Zarate, quilt artist, international educator, and founder of Pride & Joy Quilting.

This event will take place online via Zoom. Register now!

Emma’s block pattern design responded to the theme of 20th century to present day (1902–2026). Download Emma's pattern to learn more.


Nikki’s block pattern design responded to the theme of Our Shared Future (2026 and beyond). Download Nikki's pattern to learn more.

About our speakers:
 

• Emma Alcazar (Chickasaw) is a Virginia-based quilter and fiber artist. Raised in Oklahoma, she holds a BA in Anthropology and MEd in Educational Leadership. After 18 years teaching English, she began focusing on creating art full time in 2022. She works with traditional quilting techniques, often incorporating Chickasaw or English language, to create hand-sewn art for display and use. Her quilts have appeared in multiple juried shows, including the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, the Houston International Quilt Festival, and the Modern Quilt Guild’s QuiltCon; as well as at Exhibit C Gallery in Oklahoma City.
• Nikki Corbett is an artist, cultural educator, sewing instructor, wife, mother, and grandmother from Southwest Alaska, with family roots in Nunapitchuk and Bethel. She is the founder of Sew Yup'ik, a cultural arts initiative dedicated to revitalizing traditional Yup'ik sewing practices and passing knowledge to future generations. Her work centers on qaspeq (a hooded overshirt with large front pocket) making, nasqurrun (a Yup'ik woman’s dance headdress) revitalization, and traditional design elements that reflect ancestral teachings while engaging contemporary audiences. Her approach blends practical skill building with storytelling and emphasizes that Indigenous knowledge systems are living, evolving, and deeply relevant.
• Veruschka Zarate, the artist and designer behind Pride & Joy Quilting, is an award-winning quilt artist, pattern designer, international educator, and judge. Her quilts have been exhibited in museums and have earned some of the quilting industry’s highest honors including Best in Show at QuiltCon 2025, First Place in Piecing at QuiltCon, and QuiltCon People’s Choice. A proud firstborn daughter of a beautifully layered heritage, Veruschka’s roots span Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, Irish, and French ancestry, along with Indigenous Taíno and Yaqui heritage. This rich intersection of cultures, histories, traditions, and stories has profoundly shaped the way she sees the world and continues to influence the artist, storyteller, teacher, and maker she has become.

Images: Emma Alcazar, photo courtesy of Emma Alcazar; Nikki Corbett, photo by Jayme Huston Photography; Veruschka Zarate, photo courtesy of Veruschka Zarate.

This project received funding from the Smithsonian’s “Our Shared Future: 250,” a Smithsonian-wide initiative supported by private philanthropy and created to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and advance the Smithsonian vision for the next 250 years.