MaineBusiness.com

Maine Quilts 2009 opens with a Champagne Reception and Show Preview 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, July 26 at the Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, Maine. On display will be 650+ colorful quilts, ranging from traditional hand quilted bed coverings to contemporary art work with many variations in between.

The work of 54 quilt artists from 30 states, plus one artist from New Zealand, is represented in an extraordinary exhibit, “Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece.” The artists, many internationally renowned, offer poignant interpretations of the Alzheimer’s experience in fiber. Other special exhibits include “Quiltmaking 1941 to 1945: The War Years” an exhibit of World War II quilts, “The Cat’s Meow” honoring the Maine Coon Cat and other felines and “The Four Seasons: A Series” featuring the work of Jo Diggs, Portland, Maine. Nan Pelletier of Eagle Lake, Maine was selected by fellow Pine Tree Quilters Guild members to be honored as this year’s “Meet the Quilter”; ten of her quilts will be shown.

In addition to the quilt exhibits, there are many other activities taking place at Maine Quilts. A silent auction of small quilts, bags and other quilted items will benefit Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter. Sue Reich will present free, gallery talks about the “Quiltmaking 1941 to 1945: The War Years” exhibit. There will be free demonstrations, daily lectures and a Merchants Mall with 37 vendors from across Maine and the United States selling a wide array of items. Appraisals of antique, vintage and contemporary quilts are available.

Workshops will be given by nine internationally recognized instructors, including Jo Diggs of Portland, Maine. Space is still available in some workshops; registration is open to everyone. At Friday’s Gala, Ami Simms, curator of “Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece,” will present the lecture “Quilting and Caring: The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative.”

Show hours: Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Daily admission is $8; multi-day $15; children 12 and under free with paying adult. For more information, including a full schedule of events, workshop descriptions and registration information, visit www.mainequilts.org .

Pine Tree Quilters Guild, Inc. is Maine’s state-wide quilting guild. Founded in 1978 with little more than 60 members, there are now 76 Chapters throughout the State of Maine and 2,237 members. The purposes of the guild are to: introduce people to the art and craft of quilting; educate people about quilting; bring together quilting enthusiasts; promote the art of quilting; encourage the care and preservation of quilts old and new; promote high quality work and through this, raise the standard of quilting in Maine.