Gramma's quilts have crashed through the glass ceiling to take their place as a respected art form, and stunning examples can be viewed at various quilt shows around the country.
The 24th Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival (MAQF), which will be held February 21-24, 2013, in Hampton, Virginia, is the largest quilt event on the Eastern Seaboard. Exhibits include entries to the annual Quilt and Wearable Arts Competitions showcasing regional, national, and international artists.
Sakura 1: Hanaogi Views the Cherry Blossoms†(det.) by Megan Farkas
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Quilt entries compete in Traditional, Innovative and Wall Quilt Categories as well as for the "Best of Show" title, with over $12,000 in prizes. Event attendees can participate by voting in the Viewers Choice Awards - IF they can choose one they like best, and that's a big "if"!
"Sakura 1: Hanaogi Views the Cherry Blossoms" (60" x 98") by Megan Farkas, which won 2nd place in the Innovative category at MAQF 2012, also received the Viewers' Choice award.
Images shown here of quilts from the 2012 show offer a flavor of what event-goers can expect from the upcoming show, which features over 600 quilts and fabric arts from 34 states.
2nd place in the Traditional category at the 2012 MAQF went to "The Magic of the Rose," a group quilt by Kristin Vierra ( kcustomquilting.com), Joan Waldman, Gloria Miller, Marie Clark, and Sandi Kosch. It was inspired by a remnant of an antique quilt.
Star Struck by Cheryl L. See won 3rd Place, Innovative (80' x 91')
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Star Struck by Cheryl L. See ( 80" x 91," foreground) won 3rd Place in Innovative category.
Best Pictorial Quilt went to Terri Gavin for "John Jay Park in Winter" (23" x 24."
Caught in the Act by Barbara McKie (http://www.mckieart.com), a 29" x 32.5" Wall Quilt, is an original design, inspired by Taz the cat.
Event attendee admires 'Ancient Weaver' by Ann Horton
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Sometimes a viewer's clothing offers a hint about why she lingers in front of a particular quilt!
"The Jennings Homestead" (45" x 69.5") won an award in every show in which it was entered in 2012, including Honorable Mention at the MAQF. It is a group quilt made from "slices." 27 members of the Milwaukee Art Quilters participated in making the quilt for Teresa and Paul Jennings, owners of the historic homestead built in 1884 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The process of making a slice quilt involves cutting up a photo (or other image). Each participant is given a "slice" to use as a pattern and works independently to create a finished block/slice. When all the finished blocks are sewn together, they create surprise effects with a flavor of cubism.
Connie Brown's delightful quilt, "Color Cascade aka Prints Charming" (85" x 85") combines elements of traditional quilt patterns, including the well known "Drunkard's Path." It was exhibited in the "Traditional" category at MAQF 2012, but times have changed: 25 or 30 years ago, it probably would not have been accepted in a "traditional" category because of its innovative look.
However, nowadays, the "traditional" label includes a wider range of creative designs, and the "Innovative" category is reserved for the most unusual quilts.
Everlasting Bouquet by Cindy Seitz-Krug & Molly Hamilton-McNally
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"Everlasting Bouquet" (80" x 80") was created by a pair of artists, Cindy Seitz-Krug & Molly Hamilton-McNally, and features hand applique and machine quilting.
'Jack' by Sandy Curran won 1st Place, Innovative
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"Jack" (43 x 73") by Sandy Curran won 1st Place (Innovative) at the MAQF 2012. She uses her own hand dyed fabric, and says she was focused on creating the right expression in the eyes.
Linda Cantrell's 'Discordant' was inspired by Picasso
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The Professional Textile Artists exhibit "Inspired By," features quilts inspired by the work of famous artists. Linda Cantrell noted that her quilt "Discordant" (24" x 31") was inspired by Picasso.
"Fairy Dreams" soft sculpture by Liz Waechter received third place for "Best Use of Sulky Threads" in the annual Hoffman Challenge.
A quilt "challenge" is designed to inspire creativity. Participants must create their quilted projects within the parameters of particular rules, which may require the use of a specific fabric, colors, size, theme, or topic.
"Valley Sunrise" (41" x 31") by Georgia Bonesteel was exhibited as part of the Professional Textile Artists' "Sunrise - Sunset" quilt challenge entries. Bonesteel is the author of several quilt books, and has hosted the PBS show Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel since 1979. (http://www.georgiabonesteel.com)
'Tibetan Mandala' by Barbara E. Lies won Judges Choice
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The peace-inspiring "Tibetan Mandala" (84" x 87") by Barbara Lies won a Judge's Choice ribbon.
"Crazy with a Twist" (69" x 69") by Mary Chalmers, received 1st Place, Traditional.
It features hand embroidered wool scraps.
"Psychedelic Shack" (24" x 51") by Delilah Armstrong, a riot of fun and color, was exhibited as part of the group by the 54-40 African American Quilt Guild.
Psychedelic Shack by Delilah Armstrong (Detail)
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The quilt features the actual vinyl 45 of Psychedelic Shack by the Temptations. It was pieced and quilted by hand, and embellished with magnets, beads, buttons, crystals, charms, lace, feather boa, shells, and earrings.
Through the Wright Window (ensemble, det.) by Kathryn Hayes
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The wearable art ensemble, "Through the Wright Window" by Kathryn Hayes was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and won a Judge's Choice ribbon
Jennifer Bernard's ensemble, "For the Love of Teal," received an Honorable Mention.
Over 150 vendors, offer exciting quilt supplies, including Sue Pelland Designs (suepellanddesigns.com). Her pattern for "Eve's Garden" features a technique and tool that she developed.
Lisa at the Dippy Dyes booth models her hand dyed shoes
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Don't forget to look down, or you might miss more art! Lisa of the DippetyDye booth wears a different pair of hand-dyed shoes every day.
Instructor Wendy Butler Berns (wendybutlerberns.com)
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Workshops and lectures by national teachers are also offered during the event.
Masks by the Williamsburg Spinners & Weavers Guild
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In addition to quilts and booths, the special exhibits such as the Williamsburg Spinners & Weavers, the Golden Thimble Needlework Guild, the Bead Society of Southeastern Virginia and the James River & Shockoe Slip Rug Hookers will be presenting free Fiber and Needle Arts Demonstrations throughout the four-day event.
The shows' sponsors include: Founding Sponsors Bernina: A Different Touch; Major Sponsors Brother: Tidewater Sew-Vac, Baby Lock: All Brands, Janome: Sew E-Z, and Husqvarna Viking: Bella Fabrics. Silver Sponsors include ABM International/Innova, Coats & Clark, Handi Quilter and Tin Lizzie 18.
MAQF 2013 will be held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton VA, Thurs. Feb 21-Sunday Feb 24., 10 am -6 pm Thursday thru sat, 10 - 4 on Sunday. $15 admission includes re-admit, Sunday only admission is $13.
More information about this show as well as upcoming quilt shows is on the website: http://www.quiltfest.com.
This article is the 4th in a series of Meryl Ann's Opednews articles about art quilting. Previous articles are at the links below:
Delights of Texture, Fiber and Color: a Pictorial Romp Through the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival (Pt 1) (03/04/2011) at click here
Passionate Colors: A Quilt Show Photo Essay (03/01/10) at click here
Quantum Quilting: Gramma's Craft Goes Galactic (07/30/09) at click here
Rare Birds (det.) by Rachel Wetzler caricatures the desiger's quilt buddies.
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