The Springville Museum of Art will be hosting the 49th Annual Utah Quilt Show in partnership with the Utah Valley Quilt Guild. The juried exhibit begins Saturday, July 22, and features quilts of all styles and sizes from some of Utah’s finest quilters.
“Quilting is such an accessible art form,” director of the Springville Museum of Artsaid Emily Larsen said. “We all have experiences with quilts. To see the technique and the artistry of these quilters and appreciate the hundreds and hundreds of hours that go into these works of art. It’s really incredible for our visitors and for our community to be able to appreciate them.”
The opening reception and awards ceremony for the event will take place on opening day from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. All entries accepted into the show are judged according to quality in workmanship, design, color, originality, and general appeal. Those same criteria are used by the panel of judges to award quilts of particular merit. Those awards include best of show, best hand quilting, among others.
Thanks to Corn Wagon Quilt Company and Riley Blake Designs, the quilt show is open and free to the public.
While the exhibit will remain on display until September 3, visitors are encouraged not to wait to come see the display because some entrants may only have their quilts on display for a small period of time.
Wendy Cordon who is a member of the Utah Valley Quilt Guild board who also oversees the annual quilt show spoke highly of the event.
“A fun thing about this show is that it’s a Utah show with quilters from all over the state of all different levels of skill and styles,” Cordon said. “It’s such a nice range and it’s lovely to see it all together.”
Those wishing to participate can submit up to two quilts of all colors and designs. Each entrant must be current or previous residents of the state. Registration is open online, which includes a $16 entry fee. Entrants must bring quilts in person on Friday, July 14 and Sat, July 15, 2023 to be entered. Registration closes that Saturday at 5 p.m.
To be accepted into the show, quilts must be original and made within the last three years. No quilts made from kits are allowed.
“For all of our shows, it’s our mission to foster beauty and contemplation through life-affirming art and experience,” Larsen said. “I hope that with the quilt show, people come and are amazed by these quilts and find deeper meaning, deeper connections, or it reminds them of a memory they have of a relationship that’s important in their life. If that happens, that’s success for us.”
In addition to the quilt show, the museum will also be hosting their open studio throughout the month of July. Every Thursday through August 3, the museum will be providing free art projects in their studio space from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The projects are designed for children ages two to 12, with different adaptations for the various age groups. However, visitors and participants of all ages are welcome. The open studio is also accompanied by a corresponding gallery activity to help inspire participants in their own projects by exploring the museum’s vast collection.
The Springville Museum of Art is located at 126 E. 400 South in Springville. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, excluding Wednesday when the museum is open until 8 p.m.. It is closed Sunday through Monday. Entrance is free for visitors.
