Quilts, Quilts, & More Quilts at the Charles City Arts Center
Our newest exhibit, A Stitch in Time by the Patchwork Pals Quilt Guild, opened on Friday, October 2, and our gallery is absolutely overflowing with quilts!
The Patchwork Pals Quilt Guild has been sharing their work with us for many years, and this marks the eighth time they've exhibited at the Arts Center. With the group celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, it seemed like the perfect time to welcome them back.
Walking into the gallery feels like stepping into a giant quilt. Quilts of all shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns fill every available space. With autumn rolling in, all those layers give the Arts Center a warm, cozy vibe.
There is an incredible amount of detail in these quilts. You could spend hours looking at them and still not "see" everything. One that immediately caught my attention was Modern Day Crazy Quilt by Joyce Laffe.
At first glance, it looks like a colorful collection of tiny hexagons, but the longer you look, the more you find: a zipper, ribbon, photograph, clothing tag, measuring tape. And yes, there is a sock in there, too!
The exhibit also includes a special collection of 10-inch squares created in celebration of the nation's 250th birthday, incorporating the colors and history of the United States. Together, the quilts demonstrate just how many different directions the art of quilting can take.
20 Years of Quilting and Community Service
The Patchwork Pals Quilt Guild formed in 2006, bringing together people from the area who shared an interest in quilting. Twenty years later, the guild has 45 members and continues to provide opportunities for people to learn, create, and share their love of quilting.
The guild is open to anyone interested in quilts and quilting. Membership costs just $20 per year, making it an easy way to meet other quilters, learn new techniques, and become part of the group. To contact the guild send an e-mail to Colette Schmidtke.
Community service has been an important part of the guild since its beginning. Members have participated in numerous projects over the past two decades, including the guild's much-loved Quilts of Compassion and Quilts of Valor. These projects give members a way to use their skills and support people in the community and beyond. Indeed, my own veteran grandfather loved and cherished the Quilt of Valor he was gifted by this talented group.
A Full Gallery for Opening Night
We had a wonderful turnout for the opening reception. Many Patchwork Pals Quilt Guild members were there, along with their families and friends. We were also happy to see several members and friends of the Arts Center.
Visitors moved throughout the gallery, chatting with guild members and admiring the quilts on display. There were plenty of refreshments, plenty of conversation, and plenty to look at.
This exhibit rewards taking your time: It's worth it to take in the amazing craftsmanship and intricate detail in these pieces!
Stop In and See It for Yourself
If you missed the opening, A Stitch in Time will be on display at the Charles City Arts Center through November 14. Stop in, take your time, and see how many little details you can find. We're open Wednesday-Friday 1-5pm, and Saturday 10-2pm.
A huge thank-you to our staff and volunteers for all your work organizing this exhibit and opening reception, to the guild for filling our gallery with so much beautiful work, and to everyone who came out to support them.
We're incredibly grateful to the Patchwork Pals Quilt Guild for sharing their work with us once again, and we'll happily welcome them back for many more exhibits in the years ahead. Some quilts from the guild's collection will also be on display at the Floyd County Museum for the next year, giving our community another opportunity to see their stunning work.
Thanks to Our Members
Exhibits like A Stitch in Time are made possible in part by the support of our Members. Membership is a cornerstone of our annual funding and helps power everything we do. Member support makes free admission possible, keeps classes and exhibits going, and allows us to serve artists, students, and the community all year long.
We believe the arts belong to everyone. If you love having a creative space in our community, we invite you to become a member!
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