Coming soon: "Relish" from the studio of Douglas Marme

Written by Ellen Campbell

Doug Marme, a retired Penn State professor of Theatre Arts, is remembered for oft-repeated sayings: “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing!” and “Too much is never enough!” His work is living illustration of that philosophy.

Marme says his love of color began early. He remembers his mother keeping him busy by sitting him in front of the radio with a box of crayons and a stack of paper—he would draw for hours. Growing up in Russellville, Michigan, he also recalls weekend trips to the cinema with his family, where he was captivated by the colors and styles on the screen.

Doug taught Costume Design and served as costume designer at Cornell and Ohio University before joining the faculty at Penn State in 1980. After retiring in 2009, he turned his hand to quilting. Of his fiber creations, Marme says, “I’ve never sold a piece. Everything I build, I donate.” He has donated quilts and pillows to numerous local nonprofits, including the Centre Region Senior Center, Mid-State Literacy, the Palmer Museum, the Bellefonte Art Museum, and WPSU.

Marme builds his quilts with intention. “Every quilt needs color,” he says. “You start with a basic color and then throw in some relish!” He developed his own process for creating 60 x 70-inch quilts—determined by the space available on his floor. Working entirely with thrifted fabric and clothing, he designs each block using a hand-drawn guide. After assembling the quilt, he finishes it with yarn ties, calling it an “old Michigan farmwoman technique.”

Marme’s paintings, tapestries, quilts, pillows and tassels adorn his home. In spring of 2027, the Bellefonte Arts Museum has scheduled a special show of his work.

Next week, Scraps & Skeins will offer “relish” from Doug Marme’s studio. We are honored to receive this donation and thrilled to share it with you.