The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR)- The second display of beautiful quilts made by local quilters opened at The Historic Masonic Theatre in the third floor WestRock Room on Tuesday, August 26. The “From Our Neighborhood” exhibit will run through the month of October. In addition to being open during specific hours for Fall Foliage Festival, the exhibit is open now during Theatre business hours, Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00
pm. It is good idea to phone the theatre at 540 862 5655 on the day of your visit to make sure that no other event is occurring.
Twenty-seven quilts of all colors, techniques and sizes are on display. Quilters that have loaned the Theatre quilts for the exhibit include: Brenda Bartocci, Lynne Bowman, Claire Bowman; Mitzi Hammond’s whole cloth quilt loaned to the Theatre for the “From Our Neighborhood” display by
husband, Jack; Armilda Hayes, Val Hepler, Sue Leitch, Brenda Martin, Kathy Smedstad, Doris Swartz, Debbie Umstead and Gayle Hillert.
Gayle Hillert, Historic Masonic Theatre Board member (and quilter) comments: “The Theatre board and staff are extremely grateful for the quilt makers in the area who loan us their precious quilts so that they may be on display in our third floor WestRock room. The quilt displays that we have made available to the public over the past eight or nine years have been tremendously popular, but none more that the displays from local quilt makers. These exhibits are a reflection of the breadth of talent in this community.
“This exhibit includes hand and machine-made quilts, some that took years to make and are priceless.
We are also grateful to the local quilt shops who make accessible the materials that our quilters need to pursue their passion. In this display, we are thrilled to have quilts from a mother/daughter duo in addition to quilters who learned to quilt from family members—the perfect example of passing down craft. American quilting traditions are steeped in history and are certainly relevant and popular today.
“Research shows that quilting is a global industry that is worth approximately five billion dollars annually and involves nine to eleven million active quilters. More importantly, it is an art that quiets our world for a while. The creativity of quilting begins in the brain and travels down to the hands that manipulate needle and thread (both hand and machine), and results in beauty. Not a bad process!”
The “From Our Neighborhood” Quilt Exhibits are ongoing. The Theatre hopes to host several exhibits a year showcasing the talent and artistry of the region. If interested in loaning a quilt for display, please call the Theatre at 540 862 5655 and leave your name and contact information.
For more information regarding events at The Historic Masonic Theatre & Amphitheatre, please visit www.historicmasonictheatre.com or the Theatre Facebook page.
