Bethel Woods hosts Airing of the Quilts
Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in partnership with Calico Geese Quilters presents the 3rd annual Airing of the Quilts on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Harvest Festival. This year's event will include community quilt-making activities inspired by the Boise Idaho Quilt Project, which originated with women activists of the 1960s. The idea is to invite the community to participate in making quilts that celebrate common threads and diversity by creating two quilts a "Quilt of Remembrance" and a "Quilt of Celebration and Nature". Admission to the Harvest Festival is free each week, with a $2 parking fee. Pets are not allowed on the grounds. "We live in a magnificent place and we want to celebrate it. We hope that these community quilts will give our neighbors a form of expression for that purpose," said Sally Abrams, president of Calico Geese Quilters. Quilt of Remembrance: Block may honor the memory of a loved one (parent, grandparent, aunt, etc.), or the memory of those who have served (soldier, 911 responder, teacher, etc.). This quilt will feature sewn blocks and predominate colors must be red, white and blue. Quilt of Celebration and Nature: Express appreciation for the beautiful county and/or the many blessings we enjoy. This quilt will incorporate non-sewn blocks as well as sewn. Color/background of block must be of "muslin color," (i.e. white or beige) to serve as a foundation for your creative work. Quilt block submissions will be collected at the Airing of the Quilts at the Harvest Festival. Members of the community are invited to participate, however there is a limit of one quilt block per person. The 4-H program will assist in registering and documenting the submissions. Quilters from Calico Geese, a community group of Cornell Cooperative Extension, will prep and assemble the blocks. All submitted quilt blocks must be a 10 inch by 10 inch square and be trimmed to make a 9-1/2 inch by 9-1/2 inch square). Blocks can be sewn, non-sewn or a combination of techniques and embellishments (beads, buttons, ribbons, etc.). Mediums such as fabric paint, crayon, markers, etc. are acceptable. Fabric does not necessarily need to be 100 percent cotton but must comply with the guidelines for at least one of the quilt themes. The quilts will also be displayed at various locations in Sullivan County, N.Y., throughout the coming year, eventually finding a permanent home with the Sullivan County Historical Society. Music at the Harvest Festival Featured on the stage this week will be music of Darren and Albi and a very special Stacy and Friends the Next Generation Singer Songwriter; performers who were chosen during a showcasing of young artists at the Dancing Cat last weekend. For additional information about The Harvest Festival, contact Denise Frangipane or visit www.bethelwoodscenter.org.