Fiber and textile artists agree that the energy, creativity, and passion devoted to the art of quilting teaches them to value the work of their hands, and appreciate the support of their friends.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Aloha Quilters and SKEA present their Biennial Quilt Show, Mo’olelo o ka Aina – Legends of the Land.
“Every two years we have this show and every two years we have a new theme for the show,” said organizer Trudy Koszarek. “We encourage people to make a quilt that fits the theme. This year the theme revolves around Legends of the Land. Artists were encouraged to pick a Hawaiian legend and depict it in a quilt — either literally, as a pictorial quilt, or figuratively, as a representation of a feeling the quilt can carry.”
Traditional Hawaiian culture is known for myths and legends that represent the spiritual depth of the Hawaiian people. Fabric artists interpreted these legends using fibers to create works of quilting art that reflect their chosen story. Several well-known teachers and artists submitted quilts for the show including Cahterine Wynne, Annabelle Treacy, Ann Guth, and Valerie Brewer.
“It’s been really fun picking out a legend for this year’s theme,” said Koszarek. “There are so many of them to choose from. Some of the quilts we’ve received are just spectacular. It’s very impressive.”
Artists were asked to submit a 100 word description of their legend to be posted next to their finished product.
“There are 42 quilts that will be shown, and of those, about 18 of them reflect the theme,” said Koszarek. “Others are art quilts, or Hawaiian quilts with all different techniques used. We do have one weaving because the show is both quilt and fiber arts. One of the members of Aloha Quilters is an excellent weaver.”
In 2012, the show featured quilts based on Trees of our Island, Fabric Portraits, and Sea Life. In 2014, they were geared toward Beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.
“People think of quilts and they think of what their grandmothers made. These are art pieces that are not what you would expect from quilting. It’s amazing how people use fabric as art.”
The show is free and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. SKEA is located between mile markers 105 and 106 on the Belt Road in Honaunau. The show is sponsored in part by the County of Hawaii, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Info: www.skea.org. ■