History by fabric: A patchwork of events to celebrate Quilts: Past, Present and Future
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Quilts aren’t always about warm and cozy nights by the fireplace.
“They started as scrapbooks, if you will, for very functional reasons,” said Martha Degen, the coordinator of Quilts: Past, Present and Future, a monthlong celebration of the art of quilting that will feature events throughout the Central Shenandoah Valley throughout the month of September.
The effort behind the scenes has been ongoing for nearly two years, and would be the subject for a patchwork quilt itself, should someone take the initiative between now and the fall.
“We started talking about having an event featuring the history of quilts, and the more talked about it, the more interest we had from people who wanted to participate,” said Degen, who is heading up mini-events in Staunton, Waynesboro, Harrisonburg and points in between that will actually begin in August and run through the end of September.
Quilts: Past, Present and Future will feature more than 20 exhibits plus workshops for children and adults. There will also be an important history lesson carried throughout the month-plus of activities.
“Quiltmaking was recycling before recycling was cool. You can look at quilts and say, This was the christening gown, or this was the wedding dress. And there’s a lot of that in the Valley. And there are a lot of people who don’t know about that,” Degen said.
Highlights
- “Quilts of Waynesboro, Va.,” featured at the Waynesboro Heritage Museum, 420 W. Main St., Waynesboro, Sept. 1-30. The 1996 Waynesboro Bicentennial Quilt will be among the items on display. The exhibit will have a formal grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 2-4 p.m. The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Info: 540.943.3943, museum@ntelos.net.
- Quilts: Past, Present and Future Conference, Staunton Augusta Art Center, 20 S. New St., Staunton, Sept. 5-6. Info: 540.885.2028, www.saartcenter.org, info@saartcenter.org.
- “Wish You Were Here,” an exhibit of Fiber Transformed, on display at the Darrin-McHone Arts Gallery in the Smith House, Arts Council of the Valley, South Main Street, Harrisonburg, Sept. 5-30. An opening reception will be held on Friday, Sept. 5, from 5-7 p.m. The gallery is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: 540.801.8779, www.valleyarts.org, programming@valleyarts.org.
- Quilters: The Musical, presented by ShenanArts at Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, Sept. 11-14, 8 p.m. each night on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11-13, 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14. Info: 540.248.1868, www.shenanarts.org.
Filed under: 2-July 2008 Issue
