The Quilts Lei Hayama club of Japan will exhibit their work at the Firehouse Gallery in Waimea from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 30 and 31.
These quilts demonstrate the fine craft of Hawaiian-style appliqued quilting. Club president, quilt designer and teacher Shigemi Obata will be the featured quilter with many new quilts designed by her and her students on display.
Obata teaches quilting, which she learned from Doris Iwalani Feary Nosaka of Hiloin Hayama, Japan. The Quilt Lei Hayama, a club in Japan, was founded by Obata and has between 15 and 20 students as ongoing members. Obata’s classroom features many Hawaiian fabrics and books.
Obata travels to Hawaii about four times a year photographing flowers that she then translates to designs for her original quilt patterns.
Waimea Arts Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the arts on Hawaii Island. The Firehouse Gallery, located in the old Waimea firehouse at 67-1202 Mamalahoa Hwy. at the intersection with Kawaihae Road in Waimea, is the council’s most visible project. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 887-1052 or visit waimeaartscouncil.org and quiltsleihayama.com.