News and Events

Museum Co-publishes Doll Artist Book

When Susan and her husband, Terry, established their Doll & Teddy Bear Museum & Library, they agreed that one of their two mission statements would be to do whatever they could to support and share the creative talent of doll and teddy bear artists. The Museum provides a way to share their love for their pieces of art with others, because hoarding art only betrays the artist and history. But access to any museum is limited by visitors’ geographic distance. That is why it was such an honor for them to have the opportunity to work jointly with the National Institute of American Doll Artists (NIADA) in co-publishing their recently published book NIADA Art Dolls, Rich Traditions, New Ideas – a well deserved tribute to many of the best doll artists in the world. The Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum & Library provided the funding for the book so that 100% of the proceeds from the book will be pure profit for NIADA.

The Quinlans think of the book as giving you your own personal, portable doll museum that you can take home where you can retreat whenever you wish to enjoy the beautiful creations these doll artists have made over time. The book allows you to see how doll art has developed over the years, as well as how individual artists have progressed and changed. A book is like a museum – looking without reflection is like shopping without buying. Between these pages is where true doll lovers live.

Susan was a university librarian for over 30 years and has loved books since childhood. Even today, in the electronic age, she feels that there is still no replacement for a good book, especially one with doll artist illustrations. As Aristotle said, “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” She also had the chance to “grow up” in a museum where her father taught Saturday classes. So it is no surprise that she firmly believes that children should grow up in such wonderful places as museums and books.

Over 30 years ago Susan began to collect dolls, her second love. At the time, manufactured dolls dominated the doll world. Gradually, the original artist dolls came on the scene and brought a whole new dimension to the doll world. Each artist could follow their own creative direction and have the freedom to do different, unusual and unique pieces. It is the doll artist who has brought innovation and a freshness to the doll world. Susan said: “It is wonderful for me to be able to combine my love for books and dolls by supporting this publication that will bring well-deserved recognition to the individual and collective works of NIADA artists. Seeing one’s name in print is rewarding; seeing one’s creation in print is exhilerating. There is no greater tribute to a doll artist than having their art recognized and appreciated. This book will immortalize an era of doll artistry that will outlive any museum because the love for creativity and talent will never disappear and the works of art are what survives of the artist’s incredible gift. To all NIADA doll artists, thank you for letting me share this corner of your wonderfully gifted life.”

To order a copy of this 432 page book that illustrates the works of 160 leading doll artists with over 630 dolls displayed, simply go to NIADA’s website (www.niada.org) or click on “Shop” on the Museum’s home page. The proceeds from purchases made directly on the NIADA website goes entirely (100%) to the support of the wonderful work done by NIADA to promote excellence in doll artist creations.

Susan Quinlan Receives NIADA Award

The National Institute of American Doll Artists (NIADA) held their annual conference at the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN on September 8-13, 2009. At the banquet dinner, NIADA presented Susan Quinlan with their Patron Honor Award for her support in the form of an interest-free loan to fund the printing of their recently published doll artist book entitled NIADA Art Dolls, Rich Traditions, New Ideas. After Susan expressed her sincere appreciation to the audience, her husband, Terry, came forward, and before he could say anything, tears came to his eyes. He told them how earlier that month one of their three cats, Cinderella (Cindy), was dying and he was sitting with the cat in the backyard thinking about the meaning of life and all those deep things people think about at those moments. He came back into the house and told Susan that they each should do one extravagant thing each year so they never have to look back and say “should have, would have” about anything. They both agreed. As a result, Terry announced that they were tearing up the loan agreement with NIADA and making the funding a gift to NIADA so all proceeds from the book sales would go directly to NIADA in support of their member artists. As Shelley Thornton, president of NIADA, said, “I don't think that there was a dry eye in the place.”