Pattern, Rhythm, and Play
(August 2–December 1, 2024)
The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts (WMQFA) is excited to showcase twenty-five unique and stunning quilts from its collection in the exhibition "Pattern, Rhythm, and Play,” which will run at the museum from August 3 through December 1, 2024. This exhibition demonstrates how historical quilt makers have ingeniously used the fundamental elements of pattern, shape, line, and color to create individual interpretations of traditional quilt patterns. Throughout the ages, quiltmakers have manipulated these building blocks with their own creativity and sense of design.
Log Cabin, Light and Dark Setting, artist unidentified, c. 1890; cotton, muslin, and wool batting. Hand quilted with stuff work. Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts Collection.
The exhibition features a variety of quilt styles, from pieced, block-style patterns like a striking Yo-Yo quilt to allover-style patterns like two dynamic Ocean Wave quilts. WMQFA Senior Curator Emily Schlemowitz describes the quiltmakers' hands as having produced enormous complexity and a sense of play while relying on simple shapes.
“Pattern, Rhythm, and Play” presents a unique opportunity to see quilts from WMQFA's outstanding textile collection. Nearly all of the quilts on view have never been shown before and represent the museum's collecting history, including some of its earliest collections and most recent acquisitions. WMQFA cares for over 800 quilts, and the museum's Acquisitions Committee is constantly seeking fine examples of existing quilt styles and new finds.
Support for this exhibition is provided by the Wisconsin Arts Board—National Endowment for the Arts.
Judy Zoelzer Levine, Snips & Snails, 2021; cotton, tulle, irridescent sheer, silk organza; machine applique, free-motion embroidery, improvisational piecing, free-motion quilting and thread sketching. Courtesy of the artist.
Milwaukee Art Quilters (MArQ) Kid Art
(September 25, 2024–January 12, 2025)
Atrium and Micro-Gallery Exhibition
The Milwaukee Art Quilters (MArQ) make contemporary art quilts, pursue exhibit and competition opportunities, and support each other’s artistic growth. Founded in 1992, MArQ has over 40 members from varied backgrounds who gather monthly to advance their skills as quilt artists.
MArQ has won national group exhibit awards and has been included in such national venues as the La Conner National Quilt Museum in Seattle, WA, the AQS Quilt Expo in Nashville, TN, AQS Quilt Week in Grand Rapids, MI and The Quilters’ Heritage Celebration in Lancaster, PA. State exhibits include the Wisconsin Arts Board and Quilt Expo in Madison, Alverno College, and Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee. The MArQ 2020 Challenge was Kid Art. We had planned to submit the finished quilts to the AQS Ultimate Guild Challenge in 2020. However, when Covid-19 hit, the AQS meeting was canceled.
This exhibition is the first time the quilts have been shown. The parameters were they should be square—approximately 36” (plus or minus 2”)—and any technique or any topic that conforms to the theme of children’s art.
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