Special Exhibit at the Lancaster Textile & Quilt Museum

THE GRID: AMISH QUILTS, ESPRIT CLOTHING, AND POSTMODERN DESIGN - On Exhibit during the AQS Quilt Show at the Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum, 37 N. Market Street, in downtown Lancaster

Contact: Wendy Nagle, Executive Director wnagle@lancasterheritage.com Phone: (717)-299-6440 THE GRID: AMISH QUILTS, ESPRIT CLOTHING, AND POSTMODERN DESIGN LANCASTER, PA - THE GRID exhibition, opening First Friday evening,  March 4, 2011, is a joint project between Franklin & Marshall College’s  Art and Art History Department and the Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum. Featuring the “Esprit Collection” of Amish Quilts as well as artifacts from 1980’s  fashion and culture, this exhibit demonstrates the influence of traditional Amish  designs on postmodern art and fashion. Used as design inspiration in Esprit headquarters during the creation of their iconic  1980s fashions, the 'Esprit Collection' of Amish quilts is shown here in the company  of Esprit objects for the first time. Paired with Esprit sweaters, advertisements, and  other objects of postmodern design, this exhibition celebrates the traditional Amish  culture in a magnificent display of color, style, and aesthetic beauty. Titled THE GRID,  the exhibition examines the common reliance on the grid as a design matrix by both  Amish quilters and modernist designers, and compares these with postmodern  experiments in 'breaking' or 'exploding' the grid. This first-time collaboration between Franklin & Marshall College and The Heritage  Center of Lancaster County, seeks to attract viewers interested in local tradition,  fashion, and brilliant design. Dr. Amelia Rauser, Associate Professor of Art History  at F&M led a fall seminar of six students who studied these quilts. Dr. Rauser states, “THE GRID exhibition presents a wonderful opportunity to travel back in time to the  1980’s and see how our local culture revolutionized the American ideas of art and  fashion.” Wendy Nagle, Executive Director of the Heritage Center of Lancaster  County, which owns and operates the museum, shares the story behind the  development of the exhibition. “The idea of looking at these THE GRID: AMISH QUILTS, ESPRIT CLOTHING, AND POSTMODERN DESIGN quilts through  the lens of 1980’s Esprit fashion was brought to us by Gloria Mast, a local  adjunct professor of art history and curatorial consultant to our museum. This  past summer during a museum focus group at F&M, we shared the concept with  Dr. Rauser, who immediately saw the connection between the quilts, fashion and  art. We were excited by the possibilities, and delighted to be able to make these  magnificent historic objects accessible for the students’ study and observation.  It is our hope that this will be the first of many future collaborations with our  higher-education community.” The museum will open for the season Tuesday March 16, just in time for the  American Quilter’s Society’s Lancaster event week. Hours during the quilt  show are: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily admission is $6 per person, which includes admission to the  textile and Christmas exhibit galleries, and the magnificent Grand Banking Hall. The museum gratefully acknowledges our 2011 exhibit sponsor:  Two Dudes Painting Company. .

Look Me Up in Lancaster

Andi Reynolds here, sniffing wonderful things in the air. It’s not just Spring—it’s the start of Show Season in the Quilt world. A most exciting time!

Next week AQS will host the first of four shows in 2011. We will be at the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, March 16 – 19.

Being at each AQS quilt show is always exciting for me, because as the executive book editor for AQS, I get to meet so many creative people with such interesting ideas. If you have given some thought to writing a quilt book, come to the quilt show and see me! Bring just an idea or a full-blown proposal or anything in between.

My office will be the Susquehanna Board room, which is on the fourth floor of the Marriott at Penn Square. The Marriott and convention center are attached; just use the hotel’s elevators and you’ll find me.

If you'd like to talk about a book idea, you can prepare in advance by reviewing our proposal guidelines, click here to read or print the guidelines.

You can also attend my lecture, Quilt Book Publishing 101, which will be Thursday, March 17 (Happy St. Patrick’s Day!) from 12 pm to 1 pm in the Southern Market Council Chamber. Southern Market is across Vine Street from the convention center. Ask for Lecture # 42805 at the Workshop Desk at the show.

Later that afternoon, also at Southern Market, I will moderate the Author's Roundtable. From 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm come hear what four AQS authors have to say about what it’s like to publish with AQS. This is your time to ask all the nitty-gritty questions you can think of about what it is like to write a quilt book. Invited authors are Kathie Alyce (Flip Flop Block Quilts); Dianne S. Hire (Vivacious Curvy Quilts); Sally Terry (Pathways from Quilt Top to Quilted); and Sue Nickels (Machine Quilting: A Primer of Techniques). Ask for Special Event # 42201—it’s free.

Both events should help explain the process of becoming an AQS author, but you don't need to attend them to talk with me. Walk-ins are welcome, or you may make an appointment by Friday, March 11 by emailing me at andi@aqsquilt.com. You can always ask for me at the Workshop Desk, too. 

I hope to see you soon in Lancaster!

It's AQS Quilt Show Time in Lancaster, PA

Lancaster Co. Convention Center

It is almost show time in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, March 16 - 19, 2011! Our staff is busy packing boxes and tubs of materials for the show. Do you have your bags packed yet?

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Here are a few reminders about the show...

Parking & Shuttles

This year there is one parking lot, located at Burle Business Park (1000 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA, 17601), with shuttle service to/from the Burle Parking lot to the Queen Street entrance at the Lancaster County Convention Center, starting at 7 a.m. and continuing until the conclusion of the evening event at the show. The fee for parking is $5 per car per day; shuttle service is $1 each way ($2 daily) payable when you board the shuttle.

Parking is also available in downtown parking garages: Water Street Garage (220 N. Water St.), Duke Street Garage (150 N. Duke St.), Prince Street Garage (111 N. Prince St.), Central Garage (35 S. Prince St.), East King Garage (148-52 E. King St., Penn Square Garage – next to convention center (38 S. Duke St.). These garages will honor a $7.00 flat fee for anyone parking over 6 hours. To get this discounted rate, you will need to pick up a discount chaser ticket at the PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau booth (open during show hours) in the lobby of the Marriott at Penn Square. 

There is no shuttle service to/from the individual hotels. Charter buses should drop their passengers off at the Vine Street entrance to the Convention Center. Empty buses can park free of charge at the Burle Business Park - south lot. Vendors will also be parking in the Burle south lot.

Registration has closed but you can still view the workshop and lecture information online.  You will need to put in your name and address info to access that information. You can view the class photos and print your supply lists there. Click here to view the class information.

If you need more general information about about the show, click here.

Here are some words of welcome from the AQS Quilt Show staff:

Erin Ulrich, Contest Coordinator: "Good luck to all the Lancaster contest semifinalists – I can’t wait to see which of your beautiful quilts will go home as AQS prize winners! We'll post the winner's list on our website, www.AmericanQuilter.com as soon as we can." 

Laura Davis, Registration Coordinator: "We've packed our bags and are heading off to Lancaster! Come see us at the Workshop Desk to purchase any last minute classes, lectures, or special events. We will be at the workshop desk on Tuesday from noon til 6:00 pm if you want to come get your tickets early!" 

Marcelle Cashon, Education Coordinator: "Hi Everyone, welcome to Lancaster! We are excited to be here again for our second show and we have four full days of fun planned for you."

Terry Guill: Director of Show Operations: "Welcome to Lancaster! You will love the quilts on display, the merchant mall, classes and lectures."

Bonnie Browning, Executive Show Director: "We can't wait to see you at our quilting party in Lancaster. Don't miss the Quilter's Fun Night with Dianne Hire and me - we'll be giving away lots of great prizes!"

Be sure to wear your most comfortable shoes - we say "dress to the ankles and take care of your feet."

See you all in Lancaster next week!

 

 

NEW Event in Paducah

We have added a new special event at the Paducah AQS Quilt Show...

(#2205)                 Jim Shore Signing Event 

The National Quilt Museum

Wednesday, April 27, 2011, Free event

Jim Shore, internationally renowned artist and creator of the Heartwood Creek collection, will appear for an exclusive signing event at The National Quilt Museum from 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Come meet Jim at the museum, choose from a selection of his unique quilt-inspired creations and get your favorite piece signed by the artist.

(#2206)                 An Evening with Jim Shore

The National Quilt Museum

Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., $15 fee

                           

Meet Jim Shore, creator of the popular Heartwood Creek collection of figurines. A self-taught artist, Jim utilizes his skills as a painter, sculptor, silversmith, and woodcarver to create his popular “heart-crafted” designs that incorporate quilt designs. Learn how he came to love quilt designs and incorporate them into his artwork. You will be inspired. Limited seating!

Click here to purchase your tickets to An Evening with Jim Shore.

Registration is Closed, Parking & Webcasts at Lanaster AQS Quilt Show

Registration for the AQS Quilt Show in Lancaster is now closed. The staff will need the next few days to finish up the registrations we received recently and to get all of our equipment ready to be loaded onto the truck that will bring our supplies to Lancaster.


Check at the Workshop Desk at the show for ticket available for workshops, lectures, and special event. The Workshop desk will be open on Tuesday, March 15 from 12 to 6 p.m., and it open at 8 a.m. on show days.

You can still go online to view the class photos and supply lists for any classes that you have registered for.

Click here to access the class information. You will need to input your information on the first page to gain access.

Parking at the Show:
This year there will be one parking lot, located at Burle Business Park (1000 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA, 17601), with shuttle service to/from that lot to the Queen Street entrance at the Lancaster County Convention Center, starting at 7 a.m. and continuing until the conclusion of the evening event at the show. The fee for parking is $5 per car per day; shuttle service is $1 each way ($2 daily) payable when you board the shuttle.


There will be no AQS shuttle service to/from the individual hotels. Charter buses should drop their passengers off at the Vine Street entrance to the Convention Center and these buses can park free of charge at the Burle Business Park - south lot. Vendors will also be parking in the Burle south lot.

Live Webcasts, sponsored by Pfaff:
If you can't attend the show, you can still participate through the NEW Webcasts of lectures and special events, sponsored by Pfaff.

Click here for more information on subscribing for Live viewing of the Webcasts or "on demand" anytime up to three months following the event.

For general information on the show, click here.

See you at the show, March 16 - 19!

Aprons

My sister sent this to me, and I bet you remember your Grandmother always wearing an apron, just like I do.

The History of  'APRONS'

Author Unknown

 
I don't think our kids know what an apron is. 

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material.  But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. 

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. 

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. 

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. 

And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms. 

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. 

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. 

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.
After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. 

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. 

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. 

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. 

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes. 

REMEMBER: 

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.  Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. 

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. 

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron, but love...