If the image of a quilt in your mind is something handmade, warm and on a bed, then it’s time to re-think that.
The world of modern quilt making is light years away from its original form, and today’s quilts are just as likely to be on the wall as on the bed. Some of these will be on display in Penticton for Quilt B.C. 2013 at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre from May 16 to 18.
“The artistry and the colour of fabrics is just an absolute joy to look at. You are truly looking at art in fabric,” said Marilyn Govier, one of the organizers of the event. “This is a big deal if you are a quilter, and even if you are not, there are some fabulous pieces of art coming in that shouldn’t be missed. I heard there is even a quilt that will be on display that is all metal.”
New techniques, tools and technology have made this possible. Today’s quilts can contain paper, synthetics, paint, ink, metal and other substances not noted for their warmth. Quilting the layers together is often done by a computerized sewing machine, sometimes with no human at the wheel.
This is the first time Penticton has hosted this event and Govier said they are expecting around 3,000 people to come through the doors over the weekend.
“For quilting participants, they have three days of workshops, lectures and a final banquet — all are sold out, which is a feather in Penticton’s hat,” said Johanna Alford, conference co-ordinator.
Quilt B.C. 2013, at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, will bring together thousands of quilters from across the country to celebrate the best in contemporary quilt making. After the awards ceremony, the juried show will be open to the public for three days.
There are also five accompanying shows featuring more Canadian quilters: The Fibre Art Network’s Fibrescapes exhibit has 30 pieces from across Western Canada; Studio Art Quilters Associates will have 40 pieces from among their 3,000 members titled Best of the West; from the South Okanagan, the Fabricators will be showing 15 Elements pieces; and the Invitational features CQA executive, teachers and the Quilt B.C. 2013 organizing committee and a special exhibit celebrating the past 24 winners in the Trend-Tex Challenge.
For 25 years, Trend-Tex Fabrics Sales has donated kits of five fabrics from which CQA members create quilt art to be auctioned off during the conference to raise funds for CQA. This year the theme is Sunshine and Vines in honour of Quilt B.C. in Penticton. The public is invited to vote for a favourite from among the approximately 100 entries and to participate in the silent auction of the quilts.
There will also be over 50 merchant booths featuring everything a stitcher could desire, from the latest in sewing machines, threads and books to rulers and fabrics. Add to that the custom-created fabrics, beads, ribbons, embellishments, discharge supplies, dyes, stencils and other fabric art necessities. Govier said some of the biggest names in quilting instruction will also be in Penticton on the weekend to teach classes.
Access to some exhibit areas will be by admission ticket. The merchant mall and Trend-Tex Challenge areas have free entry. Hours of operation for all areas are May 16 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., May 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission into the juried show is $12. To find out more about the CQA/ACC or Quilt B.C. 2013 visit www.canadianquilter.com.