Great American Quilting Destinations

[Sandra & John Scott]

The resurgence of quilting and growth in quilt museums over the last five decades is due in part to the 1970s back-to-basic movement of the hippie generation that favored natural fabrics fueled by the spirit of the past rekindled by the enthusiasm of the US Bicentennial. Some see resurgence of quilting as a reaction to the high tech world. Quilts can be a window into the past and also move social issues forward such as the AIDS quilt project. Whatever your interests, there are quilt connections in nearly every location.

 

The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum: While in Golden, Colorado, stop by the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum to explore the scope of quilting, from bed coverings of the 1800’s to contemporary art pieces.  The museum hosts quarterly exhibits, tailored tours, and programs for adults and youth.  For the researcher and quilt enthusiast, their Sandra Dallas Library contains over 3000 volumes featuring out-of-print literature, technique resources, historic patterns and research documents.

San Jose Quilt & Textile Museum: The California museum’s diversified collection is comprised of over 850 textiles, including historic and contemporary quilts, contemporary woven textile art forms and wearable art in its permanent collection. They offer opportunities to engage young people in educational, art-making activities including their on-site Kids Create program which celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the Bay Area with stories, crafts and folk traditions from around the world.

The Visions Art Museum:  Located in San Diego, California, the museum presents art quilts, fiber, and textile exhibitions throughout the year at the NTC Promenade, the arts and culture district of Liberty Station in San Diego, California. Artists from around the world are showcased in the state-of-the-art gallery built in 2007.

La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum: The museum is located in the historic Gaches Mansion in La Conner, Washington. Their permanent collection includes quilts and textile from 1820 to present. They host a variety of events and quilt challenges throughout the year. While it is one of the newer quilt museums it has grown in size and stature.

Gentle Arts: Have an old quilt or other piece of textile that needs to be lovingly and carefully repaired or preserved?  Gentle Arts in New Orleans has 55 years of cumulative textile experience. The have worked with private collectors, historic house museums, interior designers, auction houses, and insurance companies including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Historic Trust.  They restore, repair and/or preserve all manner of textiles including quilts.

 

 

http://www.examiner.com/article/great-places-for-quilting-enthusias...

[Marilyn Henrion]

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Another "folksy" reference which always makes it more difficult for the work of serious artists in this genre to be seen and accepted as fine art by the public.