Quilt Extravaganza set for August 1-2

Special to the Register

BEREA July 21, 2008 08:26 am

— The city of Berea will celebrate the art of quilting during the fourth annual “Quilt Extravaganza” weekend, Aug. 1-2.
This citywide event, sponsored by the Berea Arts Council and the city of Berea, will feature a wide array of quilt displays, including an exhibit of contemporary art quilts, traditional and antique quilts from private collections and a community show featuring quilts created by area quilters. Galleries and other businesses throughout Berea also will feature special quilt exhibits.
Events on Friday, Aug. 1, will include a Vendor’s Market featuring quilting supplies, fabric, quilted items, gifts and antiques and a lecture presented by Kate Egerton, English professor at Berea College, focusing on quilting traditions in American literature: “Piecing is Orderly, But Stories are Not.”
On Friday evening, a “Ten Minute Play Festival” will present 10 original 10-minute plays, each with a theme of family relationships. For advance tickets call 985-9317. Tickets also will be sold at the door.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, in addition to the many quilt displays and Vendors Market, enjoy a delicious luncheon at the newly renovated historic Boone Tavern Hotel. Marikay Waldvogel, a nationally known quilt authority, will be presenting “The Story Behind the Mystique of Kentucky Quilts.” Reservations and Advance tickets are required. Call 985-9317.
Also on Saturday, local antiques expert Dr. R.E. Wells will evaluate old quilts at an “Old Quilt Roadshow.” The public is invited to bring in quilts for a verbal appraisal of the value based on condition, rarity of pattern and materials.
The Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society will conduct a Kentucky Quilt Registry documenting pre-1960s quilts either made in Kentucky or now owned by Kentuckians. This registry is part of the Folk Life Archives at Western Kentucky University.
A quilting demonstration will take place at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Quilter Janet Serrenho of Lexington will demonstrate chain stitching using two antique sewing machines.
“Quilts with a Kick,” an art quilt exhibit featuring the work of the Kentucky Art Quilters, will be on display at the Berea Arts Council Gallery, 116 Main St., now through Aug. 29. The public is invited to a reception for the exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday evening. Other Berea galleries and shops also will be open with quilt-related exhibits.
All events are open to the public and free unless otherwise noted. For a complete schedule of events and more detailed information, visit www.berea.com or call 985-9317.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports the Berea Arts Council with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.