"A Summer Wrapped in Quilts" May 21- September 6, 2014

wool quilt, c. 1940s, Washington County Museum collection

"A Summer Wrapped in Quilts" kicked off yesterday at the Washington County Museum in Hillsboro, Oregon. The main events are two coinciding exhibitions of quilts- "Timeless Stitches" and "A Sum of Many Parts, Quiltmakers in Contemporary America" - and these exhibitions include quilts from the collection of the Washington County Museum and from local artists (Timeless Stitches), and nationally touring quilts (Sum of Many Parts).

mid 19th century quilt, Washington County Museum collection

"Timeless Stitches" will be on display from May 21st to September 6th, and "A Sum of Many Parts" will be on display until June 14th. The events will include weekly lectures on Thursdays, a documentation day with the Oregon Quilt Project on May 31st, and monthly show & tells. I went to the museum yesterday to take a look around, and it was a feast for the eyes! Here are a few of the quilts.

"Fibonacci Series #8" by Caryl Bryert Fallert

"Rise and Shine, Inner City" 1997 by Martha Ginn

It was fun to see quilts by friends and acquaintances. I have met Caryl Bryer Fallert a couple times, and visited her at her studio in Paducah, Kentucky. I also met Louisiana Bendolph when the Gee's Bend Quilters came to Sisters in 2011. Erick Wolfmeyer is a Facebook friend, and it was great to see one of his quilts in the exhibition. He is an excellent representative of today's men who quilt.

a quilt by Louisiana Bendolph of Gees Bend, Alabama

"Swim" 2013 by Erick Wolfmeyer

"Radiant Orchid, Pantone 18-3224" by AnnMarie Cowley

Several local artists such as Barbara Sanders and AnnMarie Cowley were also included, and I enjoyed seeing Jean Lasswell's "President's Quilt" from the Westside Quilters, who also helped organize all the events.

pictorial quilt by Barbara Sanders 

Jean Lasswell's President's quilt from the Westside Quilters

The Washington County Museum is located on the second floor of the Civic Center building at 120 East Main Street in Hillsboro. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for seniors, children, students and military. When you go, don't miss the chance to get tickets for Washington County Museum's Raffle Quilt- winner to be drawn in September!

Washington County Museum Raffle Quilt

There's really something for everyone, whether you like old quilts or new, small or large, bed quilts or art quilts. The museum is offering special membership deals for a limited time, such as a $10 discount for quilters, a $30 membership for seniors, and a Quilter's Dozen punch card admission package.

Crazy Quilt, c. 1900, Washington County Museum collection

The museum is easily accessible by public transportation, just a short walk (0.1 mile) from the Hillsboro Central Station Max Station (Blue Line). Tri-Met busses # 52 & 67 connect to Westside Max line. For more information, please visit the Washington County Museum web site - click here.