The town of Paducah, Kentucky, has a long history of uniquely Southern crafts, earning it the title of the “City of Crafts & Folk Art.” It’s been named an UNESCO Creative City alongside locales in Italy, Egypt, and China for its contribution to arts on a global scale.
Load Error
The city on the Ohio River is also home to the National Quilt Museum, the first museum in the world devoted to the work of today’s quilt artists. The museum first opened its doors in 1991 with 80 quilts on loan from founders Bill and Meredith Schroeder. It’s since grown to have over 650 contemporary quilts spread across three galleries and 13,000 square feet.
Exhibits showcase the tradition of quilt-making with incredibly intricate and colorful pieces, bringing the long-running style of art and artists to the mainstream. The museum also seeks to provide the art form with the respect it deserves.
“Quilting communicates who we have been as people for centuries. There have always been quilts expressing the reality of that time, going back hundreds of years,” says National Quilt Museum CEO, Frank Bennett.
The National Quilt Museum also takes on the important work of spreading knowledge of the art form to interested quiltmakers through workshops and camps, videos, lectures, and publications. First-time visitors often become fans of quilts as a medium or become artists themselves.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMvBA01LBmo/
View this post on Instagram
“Today’s quilters are artists that should be respected at the same level as artists that work in any other medium…We want the world to appreciate this art firsthand,” says Bennett.
This year, the museum celebrates its 30th anniversary with the exhibition “Sew Many Quilts: Celebrating 30 Years of the National Quilt Museum.” The celebratory exhibit runs from March 12 to June 8, 2021. It includes some of the museum’s original 70 quilts in its collection.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMcsjQlrftb/
View this post on Instagram
Among the highlights are “Puffins” by Shirley P. Kelly, which intricately details the expressions of the birds, and “The Beatles Quilt,” by sisters Sue Nickels and Pat Holly, featuring hand written lyrics to every song by the band. The music-themed quilt was even mailed cross-country for the duo to work on together when they lived in different states.
Later in the year, the National Quilt Museum’s exhibits will focus on quilts made during quarantine and the quilts from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum for the 20th anniversary of the attacks. The museum is also continuing to add to its collection so there’s always something new to see. For those that can’t visit the museum in person, their website also has virtual exhibits.
Baylor Wins NCAA National Championship
Southern Living
Meet the Mahogany Mermaids, the Swim Club Reclaiming the Pool and Correcting the History
Southern Living
5 Veterinarian-Approved Tips for Traveling with Your Dog
Southern Living
Chick-fil-A is Testing Its Spicy Chick-n-Strips in 3 More Cities
Southern Living
Alex Drummond Shares Encouraging Update About Dad Ladd and Cousin Caleb Following Terrifying Truck Accident
Southern Living
How Long After the Loss of a Pet Should You Wait Before Adopting Again?
Southern Living
Leslie Jordan Shares What Dolly Parton Said While Recording for His New Gospel Album, Comp
Southern Living
Carrie Underwood Raises $100,000 (and Counting!) for Save the Children With Easter Livestr
Southern Living
Richard Linklater and the "Friends of River Oaks Theatre" Group Hope to Save the Historic
Southern Living
The Masters’ Famous Sandwiches Got Their Own Official T-Shirts
Southern Living
Ken Burns Explores the Complicated Reality of Ernest Hemingway’s Life in New PBS Series
Southern Living
Secret Menu Alert! Former Chick-fil-A Employee Reveals You Can Order Frosted Sodas with Ic
Southern Living
How To Choose the Right Cut of Ham for Your Holiday Meal
Southern Living
Exclusive: Watch the Sneak Peek of Hallmark’s One Perfect Wedding
Southern Living
Can Dogs Eat Carrots? An Expert Weighs In
Southern Living
Baylor Wins NCAA National Championship
Way to go, Bears!
Southern Living
Meet the Mahogany Mermaids, the Swim Club Reclaiming the Pool and Correcting the History
Charlotte’s only Black swim club creates a close-knit community of women.
Southern Living
5 Veterinarian-Approved Tips for Traveling with Your Dog
Use these expert-approved tips to make your next road trip a success.
Southern Living
Source: Read Full Article