LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The 21st annual Quilt and Textile Arts Exhibition closes Saturday after a four-week run in Weaver Auditorium at the historic Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum.
The exhibit features artists of the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, Konocti Quilters and textiles by Sheila O'Hara, an internationally recognized weaver, and her students.
“We had a very generous response from some lovely quilters in the county,” Jane Alameda, who coordinated the quilt portion of the show, said, “and the textile exhibit is extraordinary. They really outdid themselves.”
Alameda said more than two dozen quilters are participating in the exhibit.
Displays feature a variety of colors, techniques and patterns and themes from pastel nursery to vibrant holiday.
“We also have an antique quilt in this year's show, with ties to the Middletown area going back to the 1800s,” Alameda said.
Alameda said the quilt was contributed by Marie Strait, of the San Francisco Bay Area, who is descended from early Lake County settlers.
Textile art on display include decorative as well as practical woven pieces by O'Hara and her students: Janis Eckert, Pam Perry, Suzanne Britz, Ellen Hardenburger, Sylvia Anderson, Hana Musgrove, Lorna Rochman-McEntire, Goldie Pitre, Shellie Taylor and Rosalee Littrell.
Table cloths with matching napkins, cozy blankets and fluffy pillows, hats, scarves, creative tapestries and table runners woven with lavender stems fill the exhibit.
Hand-knitted and hand-crocheted items made from hand-spun yarn are also on display.
O'Hara said she wanted to bring awareness to global warming in her tapestry “Birds of a Feather,” which is featured among the textile exhibit.
She said design began with the idea of “global warming” caused by love rather than through bad chemistry.
“I circled our planet Earth with hearts in tune with Mother Nature and the phases of the moon,” O'Hara said. “When I was trying to decide what continents to add to the earth, I remembered a drawing I had come across around 1990 of the eagle the condor.”
O'Hara said the configuration and orientation of the continents is from the indigenous people of South America.
“I had never looked at the continents upside down and in the shapes of birds before,” she said. “The idea is that the North American continent – the eagle – that has guided the Americans with the guided strategizing mind principles, will be united with the compassionate heart principles of South America – the condor, bring all the people of the Americas together in harmony.”
She added, “It would be nice if we could flock together in peace.”
The exhibit has been viewable during regular museum hours, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday since Aug. 2.
The event included an artists' reception earlier this month, during which members Sheep Thrills Spinning Guild provided spinning demonstrations.
The exhibit, hosted by the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Preservation Committee, closes at the museum this Saturday.
However, some pieces have been relocated for competition in the Lake County Fair where they will be on display through the close of the fair on Sunday.
Additionally, Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild is preparing for its 13th annual “Falling Leaves Quilt Show,” to be held Oct. 4 and 5 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.
Visit www.LLQG.org for more information about the annual quilt show.
Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .