Display Gallery – Fall 2008
The latest exhibits from textile artists around the country are on display. Let your mind wander as your feet take you past art and traditional quilts, art-to-wear, whimsical dolls and more.

New England Quilt Museum Founders’ Exhibit
The New England Quilt Museum – in Lowell, Massachusetts – preserves, interprets and celebrates American quilting past and present. The museum presents five exhibitions every year complemented by lectures from guest artists, workshops and gallery tours. In addition, the museum offers a variety of educational and outreach programs for members and visitors as well as school groups, guilds and other community groups.

This year, the museum celebrated its 20th Anniversary and launched IMAGES and the Lowell Quilt Festival as annual events. The quilts featured in this exhibit are the creative efforts of the volunteers who unselfishly give their time and talent to assure the mission of the New England Quilt Museum is carried out. www.nequiltmuseum.org

Textile Center: A National Center for Fiber Art
The Textile Center is a not for profit art center that works to honor textile traditions and promote excellence and innovation in fiber art. Located in Minneapolis, the Textile Center facility features a gallery, retail shop, library, dye lab, and 300-seat auditorium/classroom space. Textile Center exhibitions showcase exceptional fiber art by regional and national artists. Its education program provides hands-on instruction in a wide range of fiber art techniques, from beginning to advanced levels. The Textile Center is also preparing the next generation of fiber artists through the Textile Mobile, it arts education program that serves thousands of children from across the region.

This year’s exhibit focuses the spotlight on wearable art. This exhibit primarily features work from the Wearable Art Minnesota guild. These talented artists use a variety of techniques and media to create stunning art-to-wear. For more information on the Textile Center, visit www.textilecentermn.org

From Knock-Out to Knock-Off: Gorgeous Gowns from the Silver Screen
Slip into fantasy as you view gowns inspired by Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Rosemary Clooney, Audrey Hepurn and others. Made by knock-off and re-creation master Jim Suzio.

2008 Hoffman Challenge Dolls & Clothing
Every year, a team from Hoffman Fabrics chooses an upcoming fabric design, and then issues a challenge to quilt, clothing, accessory, and doll makers to create original items using the fabric. This year's choice from the Peacock Collection: E906 211G-Green Tea. Original Sewing & Quilt Expo showcases the doll and clothing categories of this favorite annual challenge and the entries will inspire the artist in all of us. www.hoffmanchallenge.com

Robert Kaufman Quilt Quest 2008 (Chantilly and Minneapolis only)
This annual challenge asks quiltmakers to think outside the block; think beyond the fabric and let their imagination go. Contests offer a unique opportunity to take a favorite traditional quilt block or blocks and give them an exciting new look using color, texture, and fabric to create an original and innovative quilt design. The 2008 challenge fabric comes from the Color Theory collection by Sandra Banava. This collections will inspire you with its playful and bold color combinations in geometric patterns offered in a variety of scale. Color is so very important to every quilter, and this collection speaks to that obsession, stressing the importance of mastering color to master the art of quilts. Quilts, handbags and miniatures are on display in this fascinating exhibit. www.robertkaufman.com/quiltquest/

Done In One Challenge
The publishers of Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting, Original Sewing & Quilt Expo and QNNtv.com put their creative resources together to come up with a challenge like no other. The rules were very simple – what can you assemble in a weekend or less? Pieces fall into one of three categories: quilt, wearable or bag.

Jenny Haskins: A World of Quilting and Machine Embroidery
Jenny Haskins is the Editor of Creative Expressions – a machine embroidery and quilting magazine published in Australia and distributed world wide. The quilts, wallhangings and garments on display are a testimony to Jenny’s skills as an artist and editor. They will give you ideas to not just stitch out a single design, but design combinations, techniques and effects for elegant embroidery. This display will inspire, educate and motivate, so that we can all grow creatively.

Original Sewing & Quilt Expo Faculty Exhibit
This exhibit showcases the latest and most popular work from the faculty at Original Sewing & Quilt Expo.