FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2008
Contact: Molly Dannenmaier, 409-765-7834
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
molly.dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org

Thirteenth Annual Island Quilters Guild Show Opens September 29 at Custom House

Starting September 29, Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) will showcase the Island Quilters Guild (IQG) Thirteenth Annual Show at the 1861 U.S. Custom House at 502 20th Street in Galveston.

Click on the photograph for a press-ready downloadable version.
Island Quilter Dena Yngve created this quilt (detail above) for a teenager on his way to college. The design, "Line Dance Pattern" is by Joen Wolfrom Designs. It is one of the many unusual contemporary quilts to be seen at the 13th Annual Island Quilter Guild Show opening September 29 at the Custom House.
photo: David Canright/GHF

For the past 12 years, the show was titled, "Quilts in Motion," because the quilts floated like giant mobiles suspended from the vaulted ceiling at Galveston County Historical Museum. Because the museum has been undergoing renovation, the court room at GHF headquarters has become the new venue for the annual show. This fall will mark the second time the show has been held at Custom House.

Last year's annual quilt guild show at Custom House was such a success that IQG quilter and GHF volunteer Jul Kamen was motivated to continue coordinating themed quilt shows throughout the year.

"As happy accident would have it, the Custom House court room has turned out to be an unexpectedly fitting venue for our quilt show,” says Kamen. Its 16-foot ceilings allow quilts to be hung two high, which is very dramatic. Also, unlike most galleries, there are many comfortable chairs where visitors can sit and enjoy the view."

As a side benefit, the quilts have improved acoustics in the room and the staff loves the warmth and color--and visitors—the quilt shows bring to their environment, says Kamen. Located on the corner of 20th and Postoffice Streets, Custom House sits in the heart of the Galveston Arts District, surrounded by galleries, the 1894 Opera House, the East End Theater Company and numerous restaurants.

Yet while Custom House is one of Galveston’s most imposing and significant restored downtown buildings, its primary function as an office meant that people not associated with GHF didn’t often come to visit--until the quilt shows began last fall. With the advent of the first IQG quilt show, Custom House has opened its doors to the public as an inviting new gallery space well integrated into its surrounding arts-oriented neighborhood.

The Island Quilters Guild is based on Galveston Island and has about 70 members. Their annual show consists of work completed by members within this past year, or work that has not previously been shown. It is not juried, and showcases everything from the first efforts of new quilters alongside those who are masters of various techniques. It is a celebration of a year's worth of work of a group of women sharing ideas and growing in skill and creativity together.

IQG members regularly contribute quilts to a number of local charities. Peggy Baldwin-Clayton is the current president of the guild. She is also the program director of Seaborne ChalleNGe Corps, an alternative educational facility for at-risk youth. At her request, guild members created patriotic quilts to hang throughout the school as inspiration to the students. They also contribute quilts to Galveston Police Department's annual "Blue Santa" drive, to the Rainbow Camp for children suffering from cancer, to the Shriner's Burn unit, and even the Galveston Animal Shelter (mini quilts for the animals)..

The Island Quilter's Guild meets monthly and usually enjoys a nationally known speaker. On November 20 in the Custom House court room, the guild will host Winnie Fleming on the topic of "Border Bonanza.” Social time starts at 5:30 pm, with the guild meeting at 6 p.m., and the speaker at 7 p.m. Visiting quilters and the public are invited to attend this free event.

The Island Quilters Guild show will run Sept. 29 through Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in the second floor court room of Galveston Historical Foundation headquarters, the 1861 Custom House, 502 20th Street (elevator available). Admission is free. Visitors to the Houston International Quilt Show (Oct. 30 through Nov. 2), or Dickens on The Strand (Dec. 6 and 7) are encouraged to include the Island Quilters Guild Show on their list of activities.

In addition to its regular hours, the exhibit will be open to the public on Saturday, October 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. during ArtWalk.