Modern quilt by Sherri Lynn Wood

Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century

June 1, 2019 - August 25, 2019

Lightcatcher Building

Curated by Riane Menardi Morrison, Alissa Haight Carlton, and Heather Grant of the Modern Quilt Guild

Modern quilts are utilitarian art. They tell stories. They are graphic, improvisational, or minimalist. They break the rules. They make a statement. Modern quilts are creative expressions made with needle and thread, fabric, and time, expressing today’s aesthetic through a generations-old traditional craft. Modern quilters respect the rich tradition of quilts throughout history, recognizing that they are makers in a lineage that stretches back centuries.

Over several decades, modern quilts have evolved into their own unique branch of quilting. From the graphic work of Amish quilters to the legendary quilts of Gee’s Bend, modern quilts have been influenced by many hands and voices. Today they embody the best of functional art and design. They feature graphic color palettes, bold design elements, expansive negative space, and alternate gridwork while maintaining traditional quilt construction: three layers bound together by quilting.

Experience the power of modern quilts firsthand in this exhibit of 60 innovative and inspiring quilts that represent the best modern quilts and quilters of the past decade. In this exhibit, you’ll see the work of modern quilters past and present and learn the story of modern quilting from its earliest roots and influences throughout today.

Hands-on activities will allow visitors of all ages to experience the artistry and process of quilting, and to explore the styles, patterns, and variations between modern and traditional quilts. See more information below about related programs and workshops.

All of the quilts featured in this exhibition were made by Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) members, past and current. The MQG is a community of more than 12,000 quilters across six continents and 39 countries.

Program support is provided by the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum. Additional support is provided by Mary Summerfield & Michael O’Neal, the City of Bellingham, the Whatcom Museum Foundation, and the Whatcom Museum Advocates.

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Bellingham Modern Quilt Guild Showcase
June 1 – August 25, 2019
Lightcatcher building first floor Lighthall
Juried by Executive Director Amy Green and Curator Kim Diettke of the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum

See a juried selection of quilts by local members of the Bellingham Modern Quilt Guild on display along the first floor hallway of the Lightcatcher building. Many of the quilts chosen reflect abstract or modern interpretations of traditional quilt blocks, while others show unique expressions of color, negative space, and design. The selected quilts create a cohesive display that showcases the individual talents of members of the local guild.

Ask a Quilter
Saturdays, 2:30-4:30pm
Included with admission/Members free
Members of the Bellingham Modern Quilt Guild will be in the Modern Quilts exhibition gallery every Saturday afternoon to share informally about modern quilt design and methods, answer questions, and demonstrate techniques.