Quilts Japan: The 15th Quilt Nihon on Exhibit February 24–May 2, 2022
Cedarburg, Wis. – The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts (WMQFA) is pleased to present Quilts Japan: The 15th Quilt Nihon. One of only three venues in the U.S. to feature this international traveling exhibition, WMQFA welcomes highlights from the 2019 competition sponsored by the Japan Handicraft Instructors’ Association (JHIA), an organization established to promote handcrafted arts in Japan. JHIA’s renowned exhibition has been held biannually since 1989 and has traveled to WMQFA three times.
One of the most prestigious quilting contests in the world, Quilt Nihon has been an international contest since 2005. The exhibition on view at WMQFA represents the traveling exhibition and showcases 36 stunning quilts from the 15th biannual competition, which drew 347 entries from ten countries. Among the quilts are incredible award winners in both the “traditional” and “contemporary” categories.
The history of JHIA begins in 1964, when Tadanobu Seto founded the Vogue Handicraft Consulting Association. To perpetuate handicraft culture in Japan, Seto determined that it was essential to teach highly skilled craftspeople how to educate others on their craft. By 1969, the completion of instructor education was highly regarded and was accredited by the Minister of Education and Cultural Sports in Japan. It was during this time that the Vogue Handicraft Consulting Association changed its name to JHIA.
Forty-six years have passed since then, and JHIA continues to educate instructors and promote handicraft. Currently, the number of instructors is over 12,000, consisting of eight specialized divisions: knitting, embroidery, lace making, patchwork quilting, painting, hand weaving, leather crafting, and flower design. 6,000 JHIA members are quilters.
Generous support for Quilts Japan: The 15th Quilt Nihon is provided by the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Kohler Foundation Inc.
About the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts
The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts (WMQFA), located just east of historic downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin, is dedicated to creating, preserving, and displaying cultural treasures and educating the public about the artistic, cultural, historic, and social importance of quilts and fiber arts. A primary mission is to teach people of all ages and abilities the time-honored traditions of fiber arts such as quilting, weaving, embroidery and knitting. Our 1850s farmstead setting has allowed us to combine preservation of craft with preservation of historical agriculture buildings, offering a unique setting for enjoying an afternoon, taking a class, attending a lecture, or playing in a farm setting. The WMQFA is a 501(c)3 non-profit. For more information go to www.wiquiltmuseum.com.