‘A GARDEN OF QUILTS’ BIENNIAL SHOW HOSTED AT WHEATONARTS

 MILLVILLE, NJ (February 23, 2018) – Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, in conjunction with The Garden Patch Quilt Guild of Southern New Jersey, presents the biennial “A Garden of Quilts” Quilt Show on March 10 and 11. The event showcases over 150 traditional and contemporary quilts in the Wheaton Arts Event Center. Held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, the Quilt Show recognizes quality work and provides quilters with an evaluation of their work. Quilts, quilted items, and garments are judged in the following categories: visual impact, color, design, quilting, workmanship, and finishing of the piece. Visitors will be able to see a wide variety of quilt displays, specialty fabric and supplies merchants, quilting and embellishing demonstrations, and other unique quilt-related exhibits.

Quilting is a historically significant activity that has occurred around the world for many centuries.  Not only has it been a way to create functional artworks that provide warmth, quilts are woven into the heritage and traditions of many cultures. The event exhibit will showcase the creativity and high quality workmanship of quilters from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.

Registered quilts will be judged by Phyllis Manley of Plymouth Meeting, PA, an avid quilter for the past 45 years. She has created numerous treasured quilts and enhances her judging skills by constantly pushing herself to stay on the cutting edge of new and innovative techniques. Passionate about quilting, she likes to design original pieces and has recently completed a series of quilts of her own creation which incorporates reverse applique on a large scale using unusual colors and design. Her quilts have won many ribbons not only locally but nationally as well. Phyllis has been certified for 10 years as a National Association of Certified Quilt Judges, and is also qualified to judge Masterpiece Quilts.

New and old quilts, both traditional and non-traditional, and quilted garments will be appraised by appointment by Karen Dever, an AQA Certified Appraiser and member of the Professional Association of Appraisers – Quilted Textiles (PAAQT). Appraisals will take place in the Event Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Appraisal fees are $30.00 for oral and $50.00 for written. To schedule an appraisal appointment, please call 856-327-6880.

An exquisitely designed, queen-sized, hand appliquéd quilt pieced together by the Guild members will be presented as a Raffle prize. Raffle tickets will be on sale for $1.00 each in the Event Center. The winning ticket will be drawn Sunday, March 11, during the show.

Admission is $5.00 per person. WheatonArts members receive free admission. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase in the Event Center by Top Shelf Mobile Cuisine from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Parking is free.

In January, February, and March the Museum of American Glass and the Artist Studios are closed. The Museum Stores are open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., during these three months. No ticket required. WheatonArts returns to its six-day operating schedule (Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on April 3, 2018.

For more information WheatonArts, call 1-800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, or visit www.wheatonarts.org. For information about the Garden Patch Quilters visit gardenpatchquiltguild.com or call 856-825-8202.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Provide two weeks notice for additional needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey Cultural Trust. WheatonArts receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State, and is supported in part by the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

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