VIRTUAL QUILT FESTIVAL SPECIAL EXHIBITS
List as of 9/22/20. More to be added later.
Oak Leaf and Reel quilt from the International Quilt Festival Collection. Artist unknown.
50 YEARS OF GREAT QUILTS
START WORKING NOW ON A RED, WHITE, AND BLUE QUILT FOR FESTIVAL’S 50th ANNIVERSARY SHOW IN 2024!
The roots of International Quilt Festival began in 1974 when Founder Karey Bresenhan opened an antique store in Houston that soon became a quilt shop (Great Expectations Quilts). The next year, she held a “thank you” show, sale, and event for customers. Since then, over the years and at larger and larger venues, Festival has become the world’s greatest quilt show, sale, and Quiltmaking Academy, with tens of thousands of attendees coming from the U.S. and dozens of countries to Houston each fall to celebrate the artistry, creativity, and love of quilting.
In the past, we’ve marked important anniversaries with impressive red & white quilts and blue & white quilts, hanging dramatically from the ceiling of the George R. Brown Convention Center. For our 50th anniversary celebration in 2024, we’ll have an even more beautiful exhibit featuring…what else?…red, white, & blue quilts! Whether antique or contemporary, or Art, Traditional, or Modern in design, you can submit your quilt to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit!
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Celebration #2 (64” x 84”) Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry, The Best of Show Winner.
A Celebration of Color
Sponsored by eQuilter.com
This annual judged competition was open to quilters working in any style, and who liked to play with color to create a vibrant work! A $1,000 Best of Show Award and three $500 prizes each in Traditional, Modern, and Art categories were awarded by eQuilter.com.
Albany Lily (72” x 92”) by Sharon Waddell.
American Quilt Study Group Presents: Every Quilt Tells a Story
Sponsored by Quiltfolk
Curated by Lisa Erlandson and Nancy Bavor
Organized by Carrie Dell
The ASQG researches, documents, and celebrates the stories quilts tell—from the designs, colors, fabrics, and techniques used, to the meaning and sentiment behind each piece. This exhibit will showcase 19th and 20th century quilts, illustrating regional styles, common design motifs across the centuries, and cultural differences among quiltmakers.
Chintz Medallion (67” x 67”) by Leah Zieber with Mrs. Ticklefeathers Quilting Service.
Antebellum American Quilts
From the Collection of Zieber Quilts, Inc.
America’s age of Industrial Revolution, c. 1820-1860, brought about outstanding designs in printed cotton goods. Women throughout the country used these beautiful textiles to create their unique bed covers. Explore the rich colors, delightful motifs, and distinctive quilt designs that decorated American bedchambers with exceptional style. There are six contemporary quilts by Leah Zieber, which replicate works of the period.
Catherine’s Garden in Springtime by Dawn Cook-Ronningen. The 2022 Houston Quilt Festival Signature Quilt.
Antique Appliqué Quilts Revisited
Sponsored by Harmony Quilts
Curated by Dawn Cook-Ronningen
Newly-made quilts reflecting 19th century designs which originated from Ronningen’s (aka “The Collector with a Needle”) antique quilt collection. Using traditional and contemporary techniques and materials, these quilts owe their roots to 19th century quilters.
Lone Star with Borders (90” x 92”), c. 1850, quilter unknown.
Antique Floral Quilts from the International Quilt Festival Collection
This exhibit showcases floral-themed or designed treasures from the IQF’s permanent collection. International Quilt Festival Collection. The quilts—many of which are by artists whose identities are lost to time— date from the 1850s to 1920, and all feature beautiful hand appliqué.
Hockey Player (43” x 54”) by Ann Houle.
Athletes
Athletes are intriguing to watch both because of the beauty of the human body, but also because of the display of effort—of striving—that they embody. Quilt artist Ann Houle seeks to portray moment of athleticism here. She wants the spectator to be drawn in to the beauty of the athlete’s body but also to ask themselves “What happens next?”
Garden Medallion (63” x 63”) by Jean Ann Bryant.
Award-Winning Texas Quilts
Sponsored by Accuquilt
A showcase of works by current members of Texas quilt guilds. Any quilt that won an award was eligible. See how Texas guild members are creating wonderful and skillful works that honor all quilting styles and techniques of quiltmaking's past and present.
Tucson: Heart of Arizona (47” x 70”) by Karen Grace Fisher.
Best of the West
An exhibit of traditional quilts made by the members of guilds based in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, and Arizona. See how contemporary artists are paying tribute to the time-tested styles and techniques of quiltmaking’s past.
Every Which Way (39” x 55.5”) by Kay Collins.
Blocks Among Friends
Sponsored by Handi Quilter
Have you ever wondered what happens with a block exchange? A team of Handi Quilter National Educators made 12 blocks, kept one and swapped 11 with other educators. They then took the blocks and created an original quilt. See the fun layouts, color combinations, and the many different ways to quilt the same blocks in this fun exhibit of out of the box sampler quilts.
Camden: Walking the Walk for 30 Years (168” x 96”)
Camden: Walking the Walk for 30 Years
Sponsored by Camden Property Trust
Organized by Nancy Gennaro and Ginny Jones
Camden Property Trust recently unveiled this quilt representing 30 years of service. Over the years, many events have taken place within the company providing a plethora of T-shirts hanging in employees’ closets. This quilt of those shirts documents the company's 30-year history and its charitable giving program, Camden Cares.
Travel Imprint (41” x 43”) by Ju Ling Liu.
Celebrate Life
Quilting can be a showing of love and honor by an artist. For this exhibit, artists depicted how they, a family member, or a friend celebrated a loved one’s wedding, birth, birthday, or memorial.
Shirt of His Back (55” x 65”) by Charlotte Beech
Celebrate Life
Sponsored by
Art is an excellent way to express feelings. For this exhibit, artists depicted how they, a family member, or a friend celebrated a loved one’s wedding, birth, birthday, or memorial. Colors, patterns, traditional blocks or abstract drawings can be combined or used alone to convey a variety of emotions from happy to sad. Share the emotional artist with others!
How to Enter Your Quilt:
• Limit to two (2) entries per person.
• There is an entry fee of $20 (USD) per quilt.
• Registration closes on April 24, 2024.
• Size requirement: minimum 24”, maximum 94” on a side.
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Joy (80” x 53”) by Cole Whitaker.
A Celebration of Color
Sponsored by eQuilter.com
Whatever your style…quilt colorfully! This annual judged competition is for those who like to play with color to create a vibrant work in a variety of styles. There are quilts made by hand or machine, appliquéd, pieced, or wholecloth. This exhibit features winners and finalists from the 2023 show.
Criss Cross Stars (41.55" x 41.5") by Nancy Messuri and quilted by Beth Godderidge.
A Celebration of Color
Sponsored by eQuilter.com
This annual judged competition is open to quilters working in any style, and who liked to play with color to create a vibrant work! A $1,000 Best of Show Award and three $500 prizes each in Traditional, Modern, and Art categories will be awarded.
Memory Moment of Grissom (46.25” x 48.14”) by Amy Lee.
Celebration of Life
Quilting can be a showing of love and honor by an artist. For this exhibit, artists depicted how they, a family member, or a friend celebrated a loved one’s wedding, birth, birthday, or memorial.
Obituary (57” x 82”) by Jackie Manley.
Celebration of Life
Quilting can be a showing of love and honor by an artist. The works here depict how the artist, a family member, or a friend has celebrated a loved one’s wedding, birth, birthday, or memorial. And artists’ statements will tell their stories.
Melting (37” x 30”) by Maggie Vanderweit.
The Changing Climate
The changing weather is affecting the world—and often in a negative way. Creative quilts here show how it affects the artists’ homes, outlook, and everyday lives with immediate or long-term events and ecological impact. Quilters have often used their work to encourage growth and express activism.
Oak Leaf and Tulip (83” x 84”) by an unknown maker.
Christmas in July
Karey Bresenhan and Nancy O’Bryant’ s book, Christmas Quilts, Christmas Memories, is a collection of colorful red and green quilts and heartwarming, often poignant, written memories of Christmas past by well-known quilters, teachers, and the authors. See many of those quilts from the book in this exhibit.
Victor V (60” x 60”) by Carolina Oneto.
Color Sequences and Improvisation
Curated by Carolina Oneto
Oneto's work is a journey through color, curves, improvisation, and mathematics. These are disciplines that she develops in pieces rife with movement. They are both improvised and created with time, thought, and structure in patterns. She manifests both precision and impeccable craft, and uses of color as a creative language.
Amelia Bloomer: Advocating a Change (48” x 48”) by Robin Schwalb.
Deeds Not Words
Sponsored by eQuilter.com, with additional support from Karey Bresenhan and Nancy O’Bryant Puentes.
Curated by Dr. Sandra Sider and Pamela Weeks
A touring exhibition of studio art quilts to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Twenty-eight award-winning artists from across the United States accepted the invitation to create new works celebrating women’s suffrage and their eventual triumph.
20th Anniversary Quilt (49” x 48”) by Julie Crowell.
Diane Winborn Elementary 40 Years of Education and Quilt History
Sponsored by Old Crow Services
Curated Julie Crowell
These designs represent the past, present, and future of the Diane Winborn Elementary School students, faculty, staff, volunteers, and families. Some of the work was done by hand, some on older sewing machines, and then on the most modern sewing and quilting machines.
The Bald Eagle by Janine Heschl
Endangered Species Act SOS Flag
Organized by Sherrell Cuneo
This work is a collaborative piece organized by Sherrell Cuneo. Artists from all over the world selected plants, birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, insects, and amphibians to showcase. There are 50 stars for 50 states and 50 species on a tattered, embattled flag. Black Elk, an Oglala Lakota said, “One should pay attention to even the smallest crawling creature, for these too may have a valuable lesson to teach us.”
Three’s Company (36” x 46”) by Andrea Brokenshire
Flower Power—Contemporary Painted Florals
Andera Brokenshire has an educational background in Zoology and Natural History. She combines her love of the natural world with fabric and paint to create art quilts that depict botanical imagery. She uses fabric and paint to create the wonderful textures of nature while expressing the essence of a flower with the curve of a petal, the vibrancy of color and the diversity of flora. For her the creative process is a journey as essential as breathing. These quilts showcsase Andrea’s creative journey from 2010 to 2023 to find her artistic voice.
Dazzling Dahlia (32” x 58”) by Andrea Brokenshire.
Flower Power—Contemporary Painted Florals
Sponsored by Innova
Andera Brokenshire has an educational background in Zoology and Natural History. She combines her love of the natural world with fabric and paint to create art quilts that depict botanical imagery. These quilts showcase Andrea’s creative journey from 2010 to 2023 to find her artistic voice.
Well Deserved Medal (22” x 22”) by Brenda Shelby.
Good Trouble Quilts: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Congressman John Lewis
Sponsored by eQuilter.com
Organized by The Atlanta Quilt Festival
Congressman John Lewis became a civil rights leader at an early age and continued his service until his death in 2020. He represented the Georgia 5th Congressional District, which is home base for the Atlanta Quilt Festival. This exhibit honors his service with approximately 34 original art quilts by 28 quilters, each depicting some aspect of the life of Congressman Lewis.
Tagging the Retirement Home by Etta McFarland
Graffiti Cherrywood Challenge
Sponsored by Mistyfuse
Curated by Karla Overland
Organized by Donna Anderson
Graffiti ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings, and has existed since ancient times. For this challenge, artists focused on the graphic beauty and intense colors of this urban expression.
Purple Cross (Cruz de Semana Santa) (46” x 52”) by Priscilla Bianchi with Laura Lee Fritz.
The Guatemalan Fabric of My Life: Priscilla Bianchi
As a native Guatemalan, Bianchi’s work is a fusion of American and Mayan Guatemalan textile traditions which transcend culture, race, language, and gender. These art quilts document her journey through a 25-year artistic career. The pieces show how she began work in an American quiltmaking traditional style and evolved by incorporating imagery, textiles, designs, and symbols from her native Guatemala.
December 7th (La Quema del Diablo) (56” x 56”) by Priscilla Bianchi with Beverly Rodgers.
The Guatemalan Fabric of My Life: Priscilla Bianchi
As a native Guatemalan, Bianchi’s work is a fusion of American and Mayan Guatemalan textile traditions which transcend culture, race, language, and gender. These art quilts document her journey through a 25-year artistic career and show how she began work in an traditional style and evolved by incorporating imagery, textiles, designs, and symbols from her native Guatemala.
Pink Breath of Heaven (55” x 55”) by Allison Lockwood.
Hands All Around
Sponsored by Clover
Artists from all around the world incorporate influences from their own cultures into the design and technique of their quilts. This prestigious, long-running international showcase includes recent quilts by international artists who create works inspired by such.
Dragon on Temple Rooftop (40” x 30”) by Shu-Li Hsu with Ping-Feng Chang.
Hands All Around
Artists from all around the world incorporate influences from their own cultures into the design and technique of their quilts. This prestigious, long-running international showcase will include recent quilts by international artists who create works inspired by such.
Dao-couplet (45” x 55”) by Tsui Hua Chen.
Hands All Around
Artists from all around the world incorporate influences from their own cultures into the design and technique of their quilts. This prestigious, long-running international showcase includes recent quilts by international artists who create works inspired by them.
Vitality (45” X 51”) by Li Hui Yin
Hands All Around
Artists from all around the world incorporate influences from their own cultures into the design and technique of their quilts. This prestigious, long-running international showcase includes recent quilts by international artists who create works inspired by them.
How to Enter Your Quilt:
• Limit to two (2) entries per person.
• There is an entry fee of $20 (USD) per quilt.
• Registration closes on May 8, 2024.
• Size requirement: minimum 24”, maximum 94” on a side.
• The piece must be completed between 2021 and 2024.
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Hidden Gems (46” x 46”) by Jan Soules.
Highlights From The Frank Klein Collection
Sponsored by the Texas Quilt Museum
Curated by Dr. Sandra Sider co-curated by Ele Chew
Frank Klein is a Texas art collector with an emphasis on the art quilt. His love of family, photography, and nature have developed a collection of fine art quilts that inspires the nature lover in all of us. The collection represents some of his favorite quilts collected over the last decade.
Nightcruise on the River Thames (20” x 20”) by Kumiko Frydl.
Honey, I Shrunk the Quilts!
This solo exhibition showcases Kumiko Frydl's intricate and vibrant miniature quilts. It’s a journey she began in 2002 with the original classic I'm Still Sane all the way through to 2021 with her most recent creation Emerald Labyrinth and many other exquisite stops along the way. In this exhibit, great things come in small packages!
Bridal Bouquets (12” x 12”) by Kumiko Frydl.
Honey, I Shrunk the Quilts!
Sponsored by Global Artisans
This solo exhibition showcases Kumiko Frydl's intricate and vibrant miniature quilts. It’s a journey she began in 2002 and in this exhibit, great things come in small packages.
Dear Humans… (94”x 66”) by Sue Sherman.
Houston International Quilt Festival Prizewinners 2022
Featuring 15 selected quilts from last year’s Quilt Festival Judged Show in Houston. This includes four of the Master Award Winners and top winners in many different categories which earned cash, non-purchase prizes provided by industry sponsors.
Cindy Mays Cochran 2013-2015
Houston Junior Forum: Bead Dazzled
Sponsored by the Houston Junior Forum
Curated by Houston Junior Forum
Organized by Janet Juban, Carolyn Kares and Debbie Berner
Each year The Houston Junior Forum honors their president with an original hand-beaded skirt that is an amazing example of needlework arts. This exhibit assembles intricately beaded and appliquéd skirts from their seven-decade collection. Early skirts were worn to “Fiesta” themed fundraisers and reflect designs of the colorful “china poblana” Mexican ensemble. More recent designs reflect history or interests of presidents.
Paycheck the Cow (41” x 55”) by Marcia Henry.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Blue Ribbon Winners
Two great Houston Institutions have come together for International Quilt Festival Houston to present the Blue Ribbon-winning quilts from the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). See these quilts of Texas, and get information on the 2024 HLSR quilt competition.
The Electric Fan (36” x 36”) by Teresa Schoonover.
I Spy a Barn Quilt: Barn Quilts from Across America for the Sunday Driver
Curated by Katheen Mitchell
“Barn Quilts” are all over the U.S! Take a drive across rural roads and even cities and towns, and you will find quilt blocks painted on barns, silos, homes, fence rows, and other structures in bright, cheery colors…far larger than any stitched blocks! In this exhibit, take a “Sunday drive” with the family, and play your own game of "I Spy."
The Electric Fan (36” x 36”) by Teresa Schoonover.
I Spy…a Barn Quilt! Barn Quilts from Across America for the Sunday Driver
Sponsored by Gracie’s Petunias Quilts and Victoria Findlay Wolfe™ Quilts
Curated by Kathleen Mitchell
“Barn Quilts” are all over the U.S! Take a drive across rural roads and even cities and towns, and you will find quilt blocks painted on barns, silos, homes, fence rows, and other structures in bright, cheery colors. And they are far larger than any stitched blocks! In this exhibit, take a “Sunday drive” and play your own game of "I Spy."
Dyeing for a Cup of Tea (40” x 42”) by Felice Dahlhausen.
In Full Bloom
Sponsored by Aurifil
Just as quilters create beautiful pieces of art with fabric, florists and gardeners cultivate works of beauty from the soil. This exhibit showcases floral-inspired quilts from across the spectrum in lush color and splendor.
Orange Orchid (37” x 30”) by Ann Harwell.
In Full Bloom
Sponsored by Innova
Just as quilters create beautiful pieces of art with fabric, florists and gardeners cultivate works of beauty from the soil. This exhibit showcases floral-inspired quilts from across the spectrum in lush color and splendor.
Garden Party (50” x 31”) by Judith Craddock
In Full Bloom
Just as quilters create beautiful pieces of art with fabric, florists and gardeners cultivate works of beauty from the soil. This exhibit showcases floral-inspired quilts from across the spectrum in lush color and splendor.
How to Enter Your Quilt:
• Limit to two (2) entries per person.
• There is an entry fee of $20 (USD) per quilt.
• Registration closes on May 29, 2024.
• Size requirement is minimum 24”, maximum 94” on any side.
• The piece must be completed between 2021 and 2024.
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Bouquet (36” x 49”) by Danuta Owczarek.
In Full Bloom
Sponsored by Brother
Just as quilters create beautiful pieces of art with fabric, florists and gardeners cultivate works of beauty from the soil. This exhibit showcases floral quilts from across the spectrum in color and splendor in the special exhibit.
Crazy Becomes Eclectic (46” x 46”) by Cindy Cooksey and 24 others.
In the American Tradition
Sponsored by ALLBRANDS.com
Contemporary quiltmakers often look to the art form’s rich tradition and history for inspiration in their own works. This exhibit features recently-made quilts that incorporate traditional blocks, styles, and/or techniques.
Improve Mosaic #3 (54” x 54”) by Lorraine Woodruff-Long.
In the American Tradition
Sponsored by Janome
Contemporary quiltmakers often look to the art form’s rich tradition and history for inspiration in their own works. This exhibit features recently made quilts that incorporate traditional blocks, styles, and/or techniques.
Roses Remembered (59” x 59”) by Sharon Wasteney with Stacie Spradlin (Seams Divine)
In the American Tradition
Contemporary quiltmakers often look to the art form’s rich tradition and history for inspiration in their own works. This exhibit features recently made quilts that incorporate traditional blocks, styles, and/or techniques.
Pickens Street (80” x 80”) by Bernadette Houghton.
In the American Tradition
Contemporary quiltmakers often look to the art form’s rich tradition and history for inspiration in their own works. This exhibit features recently made quilts that incorporate traditional blocks, styles, and/or techniques.
How to Enter Your Quilt:
• Limit to two (2) entries per person.
• There is an entry fee of $20 (USD) per quilt.
• Registration closes on May 15, 2024.
• Size requirement is minimum 36”, maximum 108” on any side.
• There is no made by date.
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Marine Corps Memorial (24” x 24”) by Sarah Ann Smith.
Inspired by Washington D.C.
Sponsored by eQuilter.com
Curated by Donna DeSoto
To celebrate our nation’s capital, many fiber artists portrayed key places and important events in the Washington, D.C. area. This exhibit showcases historical buildings, monuments, landmarks, museums, and recreational areas of the city and area, creating a visual travelogue.