(photographs by Alison McQuain Photography)
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| KMQG 2016 QuiltCon Charity Quilt (l) inspired by Sarah Shebaro's original print artwork (r) |
After last year's artistic collaboration with Knoxville letterpress studio
Striped Light in which the Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild was inspired to create our 2016 QuiltCon Charity Quilt (read all about it
here), they were kind enough to offer us a First Friday spot in their gallery for our first official quilt show. An honest-to-goodness modern quilt show had always been a goal of our founding members, and our show, entitled Traditional Craft: Modern Perspective, would not have been possible without the support and guidance of the artists at Striped Light.
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| wall of mini quilts |
Quilt entries were open to all KMQG members and we were able to include all 13 submissions in the show. We also filled a wall with any and all mini quilts made by our members. The quilts featured in the exhibition represent a wide and beautiful range of talents and perspectives within our organization.
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| created by Melissa Everett (l) and Emily Doane (r) |
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| created by Taylor Opel (l) and Sarah Elliott (r) |
A month before the show, members attended a class at Striped Light on modular linoleum block printing using the letterpress. We made geometric block shapes on linoleum and printed beautiful transparent colors to create the background design for our posters. In a second class, we applied the text for the posters, which were posted and distributed around Knoxville. One-of-a-kind posters and prints were available for sale at Striped Light during the show, and the remaining posters and prints will be available for sale via Striped Light's Instagram account (@striped_light) on Thursday, June 9 at noon.
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| 2015 QuiltCon Charity Quilt |
The show was advertised through social media, local newspapers and our beautiful posters. We had an amazing opening night for First Friday: May. We received so many encouraging comments throughout the evening, including one visitor who encouraged us to apply for an exhibition at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg.
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| created by Christy Cooper |
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| created by Michelle Bolt |
Unlike many shows, our quilts were not judged. Instead, each participant received a beautiful handmade ribbon made by members Elizabeth Rea and Emily Doane. Our goal is to make this show a true celebration of modern quilting in Knoxville rather than a competition.
Given the success of the First Friday opening and weekend, the exhibition was extended for another weekend to take advantage of Knoxville's Open Streets event, in which Central St. was closed to traffic and people came out to enjoy the arts and local businesses.
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| created by Pat Pike |
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| created by Emily Doane |
We can't say enough about the hospitality of Striped Light founders Sarah Shebaro and Bryan
Baker. They have so much knowledge and generosity to teach and help
others. Our quilt show would not have been possible without them, and their creativity lit a fire in us for next year's show!
Before the
closing of our show, we were already talking about and planning next year's
show! You won't want to miss it.
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| (l-r) created by Mary Beth Meadows, Jennifer Grace, Michelle Bolt, Rosaline Woodard, Pat Pike |
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| created by Carol Matlak (l) and Elizabeth Rea (r) |
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Thanks
to everyone who came and supported us, who left their email, who told
us they loved it, who said that it was the best art show they have seen in
Knoxville. Thank you. It feels amazing to have our work be shared with the public and for people to
see quilts in a new light, from a new perspective.
