Quilt Arizona! The 2022 Show (1)

We could hardly wait for the 2022 Arizona Quilters Guild show, where the theme was Kaleidoscope of Quilts.  And what a fantastic show it was!  Due to the pandemic, the show was cancelled last year - so there was high anticipation for this year's event. There were many amazing quilts on display... here are some of our favorites!

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Angwushahai'i (Crow Bride): Hopitutuqaiki Opportunity Quilt. The Hopi School, Inc. (Kykotsmovi Village, Arizona)

A special highlight of the show was getting to see the Hopitutuqaiki opportunity quilt and to meet representatives of the community school, who traveled all the way from Kykotsmovi Village to the city of Mesa (a 5-hour trip!) While admiring this fabulous quilt we learned all about the school, which helps to preserve traditions by teaching the Hopi language, culture, and values to their children. 

The school's vision is, "when each seed is planted and nurtured, it will grow best in its own plot of earth." The quilt features the headdress of a very special kachina (spirit being): Angwushahai'i (Crow Bride):

The quilt drawing will occur on September 18, 2022, at the Prescott Indian Art Market, held at Sharlot Hall Museum (Prescott, Arizona). For information on the school and their wonderful programs, please visit the Hopitutuqaiki website.  For more information on the quilt, you can contact the school by email: hopitutuqaiki {at} icloud.com.

Lynx by Leilani Purvis

This remarkable art quilt, made by Leilani Purvis, was inspired by the art of Sophie Standing, who lives in Kenya. We admired the way in which Leilani depicted the lynx with raw edge applique and thread painting. The eyes seem to stare right out from the surface of the quilt!  Some of the fascinating details can be seen in the closeup photo, below.

Seminole Celebration by Karen G. Fisher

Honoring the patchwork designs of Florida's indigenous people, Seminole Celebration by Karen G. Fisher won three awards: Excellent Use of Color (top); The NACQJ Award of Merit (National Association of Certified Quilt Judges, middle); and a blue ribbon for First Place in the Pieced Small-Solo quilt category.

Karen G. Fisher's original design uses a strong diagonal layout, bold contrasts and bright colors. She used printed fabrics, including some 1800's reproductions, adding even more intricacy to the design.

Solitude by Judy Salb, quilted by Jessica Jones

This starry quilt was made by Judy Salb, who says: "Spending a year home alone gave me the time to sit and sew. Thus was born Solitude."  Judy chose luscious batiks in desert hues, including coral, turquoise, violet, blue, and neutrals. 

Judy was awarded a yellow ribbon for third place in the Paper Pieced category. Both the piecing (by Judy Salb) and the quilting (by Jessica Jones) were outstanding, as shown in the closeup photo below. (Note: This quilt was based on the Fourth of July design by Judy Niemeyer.)

The Eyes Have It by Mary Alsop

Mary Alsop won the President's Choice award for The Eyes Have It, which was expertly designed, pieced and free motion quilted by Mary herself.  The quilt is a study in color, and was created with several sizes of bullseye blocks and embellished with hundreds of Swarovski crystals. This masterpiece was inspired by the book, Bullseye Quilts from Vintage to Modern by Becky Goldsmith.

Mary Alsop's award-winning piecing and quilting can be seen in the closeup photo below.

Aboriginal Hoops by Nancy Whitton

We loved this eye catching quilt with its unique choice of fabrics! The appliqued arcs weave over and under to create dynamic hoops of many hues. Nancy Whitton says, "I wanted to use my Aboriginal fabrics in a modern design. This pattern fit my fabrics and love of hand applique and hand quilting." Yes- this beauty was hand quilted.  

Nancy won a red ribbon (2nd place) in the Medium/Large Solo applique category for this remarkable design, which was based on the Hoops pattern by Aardvark Quilts. More details of the beautiful fabrics and hand quilting can be seen in this closeup photo:

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2022 Quilt Arizona show in Mesa, Arizona.