Quilts in the forest, quilts in the park: VAC to present first show featuring fabric creations

Volcano Art Center’s first quilt show will open with a special reception from 5-7 p.m. July 15 at Hale Ho‘omana at VAC’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.

This exhibit is open to the public and free of charge. The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday from July 16-Aug. 6.

More than 20 quilters will show 40 of their finest work, some for the first time in public. This year’s special theme, “Find Your Park,” highlights the centennial celebration for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as well as the National Park Service.

A number of designs will be on display, inspired by the ongoing dramatic scenery in the park. The 40 quilts shown will include traditional as well as contemporary Hawaiian quilts, wearable art, bed runners and some “very small “ quilts.

Also on display will be two antique Hawaiian quilts, on loan by master quilter Roberta Muller, as well as a number of old quilting paraphernalia.

Muller will share basic quilting techniques during two two-hour sessions, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m., July 16 at Hale Ho‘omana. Honu (turtle) design kits will be on sale for $10 and will include honu applique, fabric, batting, backing, needles and thread.

At 7 p.m. July 25, Volcano Art Center will show the award-winning PBS documentary “The Art of Quilting” at Hale Ho‘omana. This program celebrates contemporary quilt artists as they transcend classic quilts by taking the finest traditions of the past to create new traditions for this American art form. This presentation is free but donations are gladly accepted.

For more information about the exhibit, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.