Sew many memories
Crowning achievements in quilting will be on display when the “Diana” quilt show comes to the Yachats Commons from Saturday, Feb. 18, through Monday, Feb. 20.
The exhibit will feature 100 quilts paying tribute to Princess Diana.
Art quilt shows were first brought to Yachats by artist and former Polly Plumb Productions Board Member Ruth Bass.
“One of the goals of the show is to introduce art quilting to local residents and visitors,” she said. “Art quilts do not typically follow the patterns used in traditional quilting. Instead, artists use fabric and other materials to build conceptual creations based on a theme, design or simply the artist’s imagination.”
A quilt is a fabric sandwich made with at least two layers. Art quilting uses mixed media or fiber art with modern and traditional quilting techniques to create art objects. According to the Art Quilt Association club definition, an art quilt is “an original exploration of a concept or idea rather than the handing down of a pattern. It experiments with textile manipulation, color, texture or a diversity of mixed media. An art quilt often pushes quilt world boundaries.
The evolution of the quilt from bedcover to museum piece, and the quilt maker from homemaker to trained artist, is described in the 1977 book, “The Art Quilt” by Robert Shaw. As the quilters’ workplace moved from kitchen to studio, the art quilt continues to reinvent itself. Quilters with signature techniques search for innovative methods of construction while increasing the use of non-traditional materials and instilling personally meaningful subject matter.
“Prepare to have your mind blown,” Polly Plum Board Member Robert Rubin said. “People are astounded at these shows. The depth and detail of the pieces are incredible. We have exhibited a few international competitions, plus a show of renowned artist Hollis Chatelain, and sponsored our own international art quilt competition, themed ‘Gems of the Ocean,’ three times. The first time we had entries from six countries and awarded $2,000 in prizes. Don’t miss this ‘Diana’ show. You will be amazed at what those artists have created.”
The show is available to view from 10 am to 4 pm each day, with a suggested donation of $5 for entry. The Yachats Commons is located at 441 Hwy. 101. For more information, go to pollyplumb.org.