Above and Beyond

Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Guild’s (PPQG) 19th annual Challenge event is based on the theme “Above and Beyond,” which invites quilters to look beyond the ordinary for inspiration, and to stretch their skills and vision into new territory. This year’s theme is meant to encourage a broad variety of interpretation and expression, both literal and abstract.

As a non-juried and unjudged show, the annual quilt challenge is open to all PPQG members and is a venue which all can enjoy as participants as well as viewers.

Even before PPQG was formed in 1996, local quilters felt it important to have an inclusive and welcoming venue for those who enjoyed making quilts. They began the “challenge” tradition, which has continued for over 2 decades, giving coastal quilters both an incentive to learn and use new skills, and an opportunity to show their work.

Exhibits were originally held in the small Gualala Arts Center near Ocean Ridge airport, but when the much larger Arts Center was built the show was able to expand accordingly. This year’s show will occupy the Gualala Arts Center Burnett Gallery and Jacob Foyer.

Past Challenge themes have featured either specific things – such as a particular fabric or quilt block pattern – or broad concepts such as the Millennium, mathematics, nature, art, global ethnicities, music, creatures of the deep, fantasy and literature.

Guild members can enter as many quilts as they choose, space permitting. As always, many of the quilts will be available for purchase.

PPQG will also introduce its Art in the Redwoods Quilt Raffle prize, “Celestial Magic” (above), quilted by Sharon Malachowski and pieced and finished by Joyce Gaudet, Renata Lopez, Dee Goodrich, Laura Hamilton and Judy Riddle. Proceeds from the raffle benefit the Gualala Arts Young Artist Scholarship Fund, which has awarded over 50 local graduating seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts scholarships totaling over $50,000 since its inception 15 years ago. Raffle tickets are $2 each, three for $5, seven for $10, or fifteen for $20. “Celestial Magic” will be on display at the Arts Center through Art in the Redwoods and the winner will be selected on Sunday, August 16 at 3 p.m. You need not be present to win. Tickets can be purchased at the Gualala Arts Center and the Dolphin Gallery.

Challenge 2015 “Above and Beyond” opens Friday, April 3, with a reception, wine and appetizers at the Gualala Arts Center from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend the opening, and the quilts will remain for viewing through April 26.

Artists

Download  2015 PPQG Quilt Challenge registration form

Deadline is March 13, 2015