by Kim Woolery
In January and February, join Kansas City, Kan., Public Library in celebrating the beautiful and enduring art of quilting.
Quilting is at once both an ancient art and thoroughly modern practice, resulting in lovely, and often practical, works that can use new techniques to connect to a long history. Quilters require creativity, patience, and an acute attention to detail to create their masterpieces. KCKPL is celebrating the passion and inspiration of these artists through a series of exhibits, programs, and classes.
KCKPL will hold quilting exhibits at two of the branches during the celebration. “Four Quilters; Four Styles” by The Northland Quilters Guild will be on exhibit at West Wyandotte Library, 1727 N. 82nd. The Northland Quilters Guild is a group inspired by those who share their passion for quilting.
“Tracey Boswell: Pieces to Projects” will also be on display at West Wyandotte Library. Boswell takes inspiration from many places and feels the most success in bringing together disparate pieces of fabric into a useful and beautiful whole.
“Mary Ann Robker: Small Quilts, Big Stories” will be on display at Turner Community Library, 831 S. 55th. Robker enjoys making art quilts and she does both hand appliqué and machine quilting.
The celebration will also include quilting instruction. There will be a series of quilting workshops by Silvia Kenner. Kenner is the owner of Designer Quilting by Sylvia and host of sylviakenner.com. She will be providing instruction in beginning piecing. Library staff will hold a weekly quilting class that will guide students through the making of a quilt.
In addition to the exhibits and classes, there will be themed book clubs and a showing of the documentary, “The Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend.” This Emmy-winning film documents a group of internationally-acclaimed African-American quiltmakers from Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Their compositions have been hailed by Michael Kimmelman of The New York Times as “some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.” “The Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend “explores the extraordinary lives, inspirations, and history of these artists, and also follows them on a touching bus journey to see their quilts exhibited at The Milwaukee Art Museum.
All those who sew, quilt, craft, or simply appreciate this fascinating art are invited to attend. For more information about the series of events, visit www.kckpl.org. To register for a quilting workshop, call 913-627-0306. Space is limited.
Kim Woolery is in charge of public relations at the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library.