famous signature quilt artlcle in local paper

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INLAND: Creations with a celebrity touch will raise funds for a camp for inner-city children.

By MARILEE REYES / The Press-Enterprise

SAN JACINTO - Celebrity autographs can be found on everything from magazine covers to restaurant napkins. Some are put away as keepsakes; others are framed for all to view.

Allyson Allen has chosen a different way to show them. The San Jacinto resident has made a red, white and blue quilt with large stars surrounding the autographs of more than 30 celebrities, including Della Reese, Sidney Poitier, Danny Glover and Ben Vereen.

And she is working on a king-sized one featuring more autographs gathered by her brother-in-law and sister, character actor Glynn Turman and his wife, Jo-An. DeeAnn Bradley/The Press-Enterprise Allen shows some of her quilts, including one made with large stars surrounding the autographs of more than 30 celebrities, including Della Reese. She is working on a quilt with more autographs gathered by her brother-in-law and sister, character actor Glynn Turman and his wife, Jo-An.

Both quilts, she said, will be used to help raise funds for the Turmans' Western-themed camp for at-risk kids ages 10 to 18. Called Camp Gid D Up, it is part of the IX Winds Ranch. The camp is operated on Turman's 40-acre Lake Hughes property north of Los Angeles.

The weeklong camp runs this week and has about 150 campers.

"It's a real positive experience for the kids," said Allen, adding the youngsters come from all over.

"The kids learn horseback riding, roping, swimming, arts and crafts and, in general, celebrate the all-American spirit," Jo-An Turman said by phone. "At the end of the week, we have a rodeo for families and sponsors. It's really a life-changing experience for many of the kids."

Some of the campers have gone on to compete in riding and rodeo clubs with Camp Gid D Up sponsoring them, paying all fees and providing the horses. Some have even qualified for college rodeo scholarships, she said.

One of the special treats for the campers is that celebrity friends of the Turmans frequently drop in to visit. DeeAnn Bradley/The Press-Enterprise Closeup of Allyson Allen's "Jump da broom" quilt with a "why worry" doll with a wagon full of cotton.

The Turmans presented the concept for the youth camp at the Atlanta National Conference in June 1992, following the riots sparked by the verdict in the Rodney King beating trial in April 1992. The camp opened that August and has continued annually, staffed by family members or volunteers, which helps keep costs down. Sponsorship of a camper is $250 for the week.

"Over the past 10 years, something truly amazing has happened. We have actually changed the paths of kids' lives. We have instilled courage, confidence and hope in otherwise lost souls, and that alone has been a priceless reward and dream come true," Turman wrote on the camp's Web site.

Children come from Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and as far away as San Diego County.

Allen; her mother, Dottie Wright, also a San Jacinto resident; the Turmans; and a handful of volunteers have operated the nonprofit ranch for the past 10 years.

"We all have our job. Everybody works. Jo-An is up starting the cooking at around 6 a.m. on through the day -- although she broke her foot a couple of weeks ago, so she'll be working under that. Mom is in charge of beverages, Glynn is down at the corral with the kids, and I do the staff orientation and train the counselors before the kids arrive, and then I direct the day camp," said Allen. DeeAnn Bradley/The Press-Enterprise Closeup of Allyson Allen's "Jump da broom" quilt with "why worry" dolls that she uses in her black-history presentations.

The ranch project is just one of many in which Allen participates, all aimed at instilling knowledge of and pride in black culture.

A professional quilter, she's involved in international art projects and programs. She is recognized as a master quilt artist by the state of California and certificated to teach the craft in state-funded programs.

Allen regularly gives presentations at schools in Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, especially during Kwanzaa and Black History Month.

"There's an oral tradition of passing on history in the African culture," she said.

Reach Marilee Reyes at (909) 763-3473 or snipped-for-privacy@pe.com