Published 5:26 pm Monday, March 7, 2016
- Quilt 1: Sarah Bellian, Museum of the Gulf Coast curator, left, and Lori Labove, right, Museum administrator, hold a quilt to be exhibited in the Museum’s Texas State Quilts exhibit. Crafted in 2012, “Quilt Across Texas” was pieced by Liz B. Williams of Crockett and custom-quilted by Kim Norton. The quilt won first place at Davy Crockett Quite show in 2014 for “Viewer’s Choice.”
The Museum of the Gulf Coast is looking for Texas quilts to be loaned for a special exhibit from April 1 to June 20. As part of the display, the Museum will also provide opportunity for those who would like to bring their heirloom handiwork to be appraised by a professional.
Museum Curator Sarah Bellian is hoping to find at least three Texas-made quilts illustrating life along the Gulf Coast to be part of the three-month exhibit.
Quilts are not limited to a nautical theme, but should depict Southeast Texas life.
Bellian said she has one quilt secured for the show, and needs at least two others, but is not opposed to accepting more.
“We’ve had a lot of people with quilts made in other states, but we would like for them to be from Texas,” she said.
Bellian said the museum had originally planned to bring the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Quilt Collection to Port Arthur. The traveling display is used to promote the state by featuring a quilter’s block adhering to the theme using Texas natural fiber.
Because the Texas Department of Agriculture’s collection was double booked, the Museum of the Gulf Coast opted to organize its own.
Those wishing to submit a quilt for the local exhibit may do so by emailing a photo and the story of the quilt to belliansse@lamarpa.edu. Submissions must be made by March 30.
As part of the quilt exhibit, at 10 a.m. on April 9, quilters, knitters, spinners are welcome to bring their projects to the Dunn Gallery in celebration of these traditional art forms. There, professional quilt appraiser Marcia Kaylakie will be available at 2:30 p.m. for a special presentation. Kaylakie encourages visitors to bring their heirloom quilts regardless of condition so she can share her knowledge as a quilter, expert on historic quilts and appraiser.
Kaylakie will be doing an appraiser road show.
“Normally, if you hired someone to come out and do this, the rate would be $150 per hour,” Bellian said.
These quilts do not have to originate in the Golden Triangle area, though local quilts are always appreciated.
Seating is limited to the first 35 guests. Anyone wishing to attend should RSVP by calling the Museum front desk at 409-982-7000.
A participant form for those wishing to demonstrate quilting or other textile-production can be downloaded from the Museum’s website under “Temporary Exhibits.”
For more information contact the Museum at 409-984-6446.
