July Meeting Notes

The July meeting is coming up Tuesday and it's our annual Summer Pot Luck! Bring your favorite dish to share. The meeting starts at 6:30.

At the August meeting we will learn how to use Intense pencils to color our quilts.

Virginia Quilt Museum news from Elsa:
We're scheduled to volunteer at museum on July 30th.  On that day there is an artist reception for the National Parks exhibit which opens on July 26th.  We're only responsible for the docent's job.  We need 1 additional person for the morning and afternoon shift.  Contact Elsa Brooks if you can help.

When you think about the National Parks, do you think of quilts?  You would if you have seen any of the 177 art quilts made by people across the country in honor of this year's National Park Service Centennial.  Curated by Donna DeSoto, each small quilt in the exhibit represents either the flora, fauna, or landscape of one of the 59 National Parks, and they are coming to the Virginia Quilt MuseumJuly 26!  

But there is no need to wait to celebrate the because the museum is celebrating the NPS 100 Birthday with "Arts and the Parks" all month long! 

Current Exhibits (May 10 - Sept 10)   Wiley's Colonial Heritage by Jane Lloyd c. 1850 American Pride: Eagles and Stars Visiting Exhibit Guest Curators: Pat and Arlan Christ "American pride ran deep as individuals and their families immigrated and settled in this new country.  They stood up to fight for the survival which allowed them to establish a home or farm for their family and continued to fight through the centuries to the present day. As each generation passed and each war was fought, the United States of America grew and strengthened because of such dedication and conviction of its citizens." ~Pat and Arlan Christ   The Christs, husband and wife quilt collectors and historians from Pennsylvania, dedicate their exhibit of patriotic quilts to those who have served in the United States military and their families who remained at home to provide the food, clothing and materials needed to supply the troops.  These creations are a true testament of the "American Pride" that was worked into each stitch. Along the Spice RouteVisiting ExhibitGuest Curators: Paula Golden & Ann Reardon   Tanzanian Cardamom by Peg Green Returning crusader knights brought with them treasure chests not filled with jewels, but cinnamon, ginger, and peppercorns. The story of spices, some 5,000 years old, is also the history of trade and commerce. The American continent would not have been discovered as early, had it not been for the European desire to break the Arab traders' spice monopoly. "Along the Spice Route" features 41 wall quilts depicting artistic interpretations of spices that refine modern cuisine. The exhibit offers an opportunity to discover the spices' countries of origin, the importance of ancient trade routes, and the lasting connections between the world's cultural heritages.   Campaign Ribbon featuring bust of Grover Cleveland. Crazy quilt made by Sally Blakey. Presidential Connections: Quilts, Virginians, and the Whig Party From the Collection of Wayne Harrison and the VQM   Just in time for the heat of the presidential race, this exhibit presents a series of quilts and material items related to presidential campaigns. All items demonstrate connections between Presidents with Virginia family connections and the Whig Party. The early-mid 19th Century political connections as demonstrated by quilt patterns and campaign memorabilia are certain to impress any fan of American history and politics. Treasures from the Vault: A Ray of Sunshine Curated by Kate Gallota, VQM Intern THROUGH July 20th Only Dresden Plate Quilt by Cloah Lockhart. Donated by Harry and JoAnne Lockart This exhibit includes a selection of Depression Era quilts that feature not only the popular patterns of the time but also popular fabrics. Tied together through the yellows in each quilt, the exhibit is named "A Ray of Sunshine", a title that not only represents the bright and cheerful colors, but also the joy that was found in the creation of these pieces despite the trying times of 1930s America.   As could be expected, the price of fabrics during the Great Depression was too high for most women to afford, so the trend of using scrap fabric was common. Fabrics came from old clothes, recycled quilts and even feed and flour sacks.

Upcoming Exhibit (July 26 - Sept 10 )  Inspired by the National Parks: Celebrating 100 Years Curated by Donna De Soto   A colorful celebration of the 59 US National Parks, this collection of 177 original art quilts depicts the widely varying flora, fauna and landscapes of each of our nation's National Parks. Delight in the textile tributes to these national treasures - from Acadia in Maine, to Voyageurs in Minnesota, to Yosemite in California, to Haleakalā in Hawaii, to our very own, Shenandoah. Save the Date: July 26th. Walkabout Main Street - Exhibit Soft Opening Come to the Museum on the first day of the "Inspired by the National Parks" exhibit. In partnership with Harrisonburg's Walkabout Outfitter, the day features reciprocal outdoor-lover giveaways that will get you a prize at the outfitters (with your VQM admission receipt) OR free admission at the Museum (with your Walkabout Outfitter receipt), plus a chance in a drawing for cool outdoor gear! Read More Here.   July 30th.   Official Gallery Opening On this day, free with museum admission, the Gallery Opening will focus on our own Shenandoah National Park.  Local artists will join us with a SNP-inspired Community Art Show featuring a variety of art forms.  Also included will be an SNP traveling display, lecture, reception and music. Read More Here. Upcoming Exhibits (Sept 20 - Dec 17)   Midnight in the Garden of Quilts: Quilts from the Polly Mello Collection   Prepare yourself for a walk down the dark side of quilting, with quilts and ephemera from the eerily wonderful"Quilts That Go Bump in the Night" collection of Polly Mello.  In this infamous collection of macabre quilts and ephemera, we are shining a light into the dark cobweb covered corners of quilting. It is Midnight in the Garden of Quilts, so prepare yourself to walk down the ghostly path where you will see mourning quilts, coffin drapes, quilts of presidential assassination. There are critter quilts and quilts from the headlines and the always favorite "Creepy Crib Quilts". Save the Date: Oct 21-22. "Mourning and Meaning Through Cloth" SeminarThis two-day seminar will explore the links between textiles and death, funerals, and mourning traditions in American History. Featuring keynote speaker Polly Mello and Opening Speaker Professor Craig Friend, editor of Death and the American South.  FULL SCHEDULE AND TICKETS available in mid-July.  A Potpourri of Quilts: The Floyd Quilt Guild Curated by Karin Tauber   This guild exhibit displays some of Virginia's finest quilting talent. Southwest Virginia, long-known for its artisan crafts and Appalachian quilt-making talents, shines in this exhibit.   The Floyd Quilt Guild's members' interests are as diverse as quilting itself.  In this exhibit, they pay tribute to time-tested styles and techniques, explore the diversity of fiber art, and study new trends as they emerge.  The quilters share a dedication to the integrity of construction while pursuing their own unique and personal creativity. Treasures from the Vault: Crazy Quilts Curated by VQM Curator Gloria Comstock   Come view a selection of the Museum's own crazy quilts.   Popular throughout the late 1800s, the very labor-intensive style of "crazy quilts" features small and irregularly-shaped pieces of fabric. Exotic blends of fabric, such as velvet, silk and satin are common, as are embellished additions like lace, ribbons and beads. Early on, crazy quilting was a national fashion among upper-class, urban women, who took full advantage of the array of fabrics available from the newly-industrialized textile industry. These quilts are called "crazy" for a reason!   Over time, rural areas and small towns picked up on the style as well, although rural quilters typically preferred sturdier and less-expensive fabrics and employed fewer decorative embellishments.

Upcoming Programs

Arts and the Parks Month in partnership with the Arts Council of the Valley Join us for a full-month of events celebrating our National Parks and the art they inspire! 1) "Craft Your Own Adventure: Story and Craft Morning" Wednesday, July 13th & Wednesday, July 27th 10:30am @ the VQM FREE!   National Park story time and nature-themed crafts for children ages 3-7, featuring Librarian Bly Brown.       2) "Sharing Your Outdoor Adventure: Digital Storytelling 101" Monday, July 25th 7pm @ Court Square Theater  Stace Carter_ 2015 Artist in Residence at Shenandoah National Park $5 Camping, hiking, boating, biking, climbing - your outdoor adventures are a huge part of your life and you want to share them, but how?  Come learn tips and techniques for engaging ways to capture and share your outdoor experience in photos and video. You don't need to be a "techy" to craft digital stories that connect people with your outdoor experiences. Beginners are welcome! Just bring your phone or camera. With 2015 Shenandoah National Park Artist in Residence and Apple Distinguished Educator, Stace Carter 3) Soft Opening: Walkabout Main Street Tuesday, July 26th 10am - 4pm @ VQM and Walkabout Outfitter (H'burg location only) Celebrate the soft opening of the VQM's "Inspired by the National Parks" exhibit in this partnership with Downtown Harrisonburg's Walkabout Outfitter!   3) Inspired by the National Parks: Official Gallery Opening Saturday, July 30th 10am - 4pm @ VQM 1:30pm - Lecture @ St. Stephens UCC Church FREE with admission  Join us for a full-day celebration and the official opening of the "Inspired by the National Parks" exhibit!  In a true celebration of the National Park Centennial, in addition to ALL 177 of the exhibit's breathtaking quilts, local artists will be on site for a Community Art Show featuring works inspired by our local park - Shenandoah! Plus, at St. Stephens Church at 1:30, Shenandoah National Park Ranger Mike Punches will present "A Brief History of the National Park Service".  (The lecture is free; donations are appreciated). Inspired by the National Parks, exhibit companion book Then at 3:00 at the Museum, join exhibit curator,Donna DeSoto for an  Artists' Reception. Music will be provided by Mike McCray.   Ms. DeSoto will be available to sign copies of her book, which will be available at the Museum's shop the day of the event or through online advanced purchase HERE.