IOWA ART QUILTERS
EXHIBIT at Fairfield Arts & Convention Center
Exhibit features 19 Iowa artists:
Linda Nelson Johnson, Sue Kluber, Jane Knapp, Judy Ludwick,
Norrie Macllraith, Susan McIntyre, Sal Miller, Janet Pittman,
Wendy Read, Sandy Rieber, Barbara Riggs, Lois Sheriff,
Jean Taft, Carol Trumbull and Patricia Weber.
Special project of 14 Iowa Buildings
Postville by Janet Bergeron,
Iowa State Capital by Linda Nelson Johnson,
Lynnville’s Wagaman Mill by Sue Kluber,
Lewis’ Hitchcock House by Judy Ludwig,
Nashua’s Little Brown Church in the Vale by Jane Knapp,
Ames’ Morrill Hall by Susan McIntyre,
Charles City’s Carnegie Legacy by Janet Pitman,
Sioux City/Woodbury County Courthouse by Sal Miller,
Fairfield’s Bonnifield Cabin by Wendy Read,
Corning’s Opera House by Barbara Riggs,
West Bend’s Grotto of the Redemption by Jean Taft,
Chariton/Lucas County Courthouse by Carol Trumbull,
Lansing’s Old Stone School by Lois Sheriff,
Creston’s Phillips 66 Station by Patricia Weber.
The Iowa Art Quilters began meeting in 2005 in Grinnell to encourage and support one another in making art quilts. A simple definition of an art quilt is “a quilt you hang on the wall” instead of a quilt you lay on the bed. Art Quilts are designed and constructed by the artist and are original. Art quilts may be abstract or representational, portraying landscapes, faces or objects, or modifying traditional quilt blocks.
Usually art quilts are considered more decorative than functional, with artists frequently using a variety of fabrics, threads and embellishments such as beads, sequins, buttons, metal, wood and other materials. Surface design, like altering the fabric itself, is a common feature. One might add or remove color using dye, paint, or bleach with brushes, stamps or stencils. Artists might go further by selectively damaging the cloth with fire or rust, or less drastically by folding, scrunching or gathering the cloth.
There are about 30 members in Iowa Art Quilters, most of whom live in central Iowa. At monthly meetings they gather to teach and learn new techniques and to share ideas for projects. Some members have formal art education and experience, some coming from a background of sewing and quilting. Some are business women who market their work (patterns, cloth completed pieces) or receive a commission for art work. Other members are hobbyists who make art for the pleasure of creating, and several have won regional and national acclaim.
Iowa Art Quilters is open to anyone interested in quilting arts and currently live in Iowa. Beginners and advanced are welcome and can make contact through email at iowaartquilters@gmail.com
Art Quilts featured above include:
“Lady of the Wood” by Wendy Read
“Snapshot in Time” by Jane Worley Knapp
“Athena” by Wendy Read
