Summer Events in the Mid-USA & West Coast

Detail of a quilt dated 1808,

attributed to Belle Abrams, England.

Here are a few shows of antique quilts west of the Mississippi....

NEBRASKA

The International Quilt Study Center and Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska should be on your travel agenda this year. The featured exhibit is:  

Elegant Geometry: American and British Mosaic Patchwork

Guest Curated by Bridget Long
Through January 8, 2012

"Mosaic quilts are eye-dazzling textiles made from thousands of precisely-shaped fabrics formed with the use of templates. The technique was used in the British Isles as early as the 1700s and also became popular in other parts of Europe, as well as in British colonies, including America. This exhibition will trace the development of the style and presents many stunning examples of an exacting and time-consuming art."

I know many of you are fans of hexagon quilts and for you this show is a must. You can see pictures of the quilts in the exhibition at this post
http://www.quiltstudy.org/exhibitions/online_exhibitions/mosaic.html#Quilts

And find out more about the show and how to order the catalog here:
http://www.quiltstudy.org/exhibitions/online_exhibitions/mosaic.html

1808

Belle Abram's quilt, a wonderful example

of fabrics available in England

 in the beginning of the 19th century

The catalog cover

They also have up Nebraska Quilts & Quiltmakers through October 2, 2011, a show of some of the best of the quilts found during the state quilt project.

Programming for the summer includes:
A lecture by the Guest Curator Bridget Long: "Elegant Geometry: American & British Mosaic Patchwork on Sunday, June 26th at 2:00 pm.
"Chinese Mosaic Patchwork," lecture by Curator Marin Hanson, at noon on August 23.
And a workshop "Tessellations & Variations: Creating One and Two Patch Quilts." on Sunday afternoon September 11.
Here's the main webpage
http://www.quiltstudy.org/

ILLINOIS

Amish and "English": Quilts from the Illinois State Museum Collection

The Illinois State Museum is showing quilts from their collection through September 16th.

"Because the Amish have sought separation from the “English” world in many aspects of their life, it is tempting to assume that their quilts were also made in isolation from larger American trends.  This comparative exhibition of Amish and “English” quilts dating from 1870 thru 1950 from the Illinois State Museum collection dispels this notion.  In fact, in Illinois both Amish and “English” quilters were using the same fabrics, techniques, colors, formats, and patterns with only a few exceptions.  This richly textured side-by-side comparison of Illinois quilts and quiltmakers provides extraordinary insight into the qualities that make Amish quilting unique from “English,” or non-Amish, quilting, and vice versa."

Click here for more information:
http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/lockport/exhibitions.html?ExhibitID=215

CALIFORNIA

The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is re-mounting a one month exhibit of their popular show  Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique, curated by Julia D. Zgliniec, from July 3-July 31, 2011. (Now---up to August 2nd so check their webpage to make sure.)

Click here for more information
http://www.bowers.org/index.php/art/exhibitions_details/44