Quilt National '89

Quilt National '89

The whole collection is documented in New Quilts: Interpretations and Innovations published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

Five hundred fifty artists submitted 1156 works. Jurors Chris Wolf Edmonds, Bernard Kester and Yvonne Porcella selected 80 quilts by 75 artists. The exhibitors represented twenty-six states and five foreign countries. There were four awards granted. Newcomers to the show included Judy Becker, Sue Benner, Patty Hawkins, Jane Sassaman, and Joan Schulze.

Best of Show
Elizabeth Busch
When We Were Young, ©EB
68 by 80 inches. Acrylic paint on raw cotton canvas, commercial fabrics, treated with colored pencils and Procion dyes. Machine pieced, hand appliquéd and hand quilted.
Artist's statement: This is one of a series of bed quilts about the bed. When We Were Young is about that time in early marriage when children are infants and all dreams are sweet and full of hope and love.

Award of Excellence
Robin Schwalb
PCB Bop, ©RS
55 by 41 inches. Cotton, hand-stenciled fabric, metal studs. Machine and hand pieced, hand appliquéd and hand quilted.
Artist's statement: The initial inspiration for this quilt was both sublime and ridiculous - a combination of an Edward Weston photograph and the sweat stains on Joe Crocker's brocade shirt during a rousing 1987 performance. It evolved into the lovely patterns of PCBs -- printed circuit boards. The viewer is encouraged to maintain a thoughtful attitude towards technological innovation.

Most Innovative Use of the Medium
Judith Dingle
Reconstruction, ©JD
32 by 60 inches. Dupioni silk, fiberglass screen, wooden rods, rubber grommets and cotton.
Artist's statement: Recently I have been exploring three-dimensional mixed media textile constructions that relate to the graphic imagery of my previous work. While alluding to the quilt format, these wall pieces extend the traditional definition of the quilt. By treating the block as a separate unit, I draw attention to its singular nature without denying its role in the larger image. The quilt's elements are fragmented, redefined and restored to create a new form and meaning.

Domini McCarthy Memorial Award
Liesel Niesner
A Rainbow for Greenpeace, ©LN
69 by 79 inches. Cotton fabrics, machine pieces, hand-appliquéd and hand quilted.
Artist's statement: I enjoy creating a three-dimensional work out of such a flat medium as fabric and I delight in playing with colors and shadows. This work is dedicated to the organization Greenpeace, for struggling to keep the beauty of the earth for our children.

People's Choice Award
Ruth B. McDowell
The Yellow Maple, ©RBM
86 by 68 inches. Cottons and linens; machine pieced and hand quilted.
Artist's statement: October in a New England wood.

QN '79 QN '81 QN '83 QN '85
QN '87 QN '91 QN '93 QN '95
QN '97 QN '99 QN '01 QN '03
QN '05 QN '07
QN Prize Winners Home

	Best of Show Elizabeth Busch When We Were Young, ©EB 68 by 80 inches. Acrylic paint on raw cotton canvas, commercial fabrics, treated with colored pencils and Procion dyes. Machine pieced, hand appliquéd and hand quilted. Artist's statement: This is one of a series of bed quilts about the bed. When We Were Young is about that time in early marriage when children are infants and all dreams are sweet and full of hope and love.
Award of Excellence Robin Schwalb PCB Bop, ©RS 55 by 41 inches. Cotton, hand-stenciled fabric, metal studs. Machine and hand pieced, hand appliquéd and hand quilted. Artist's statement: The initial inspiration for this quilt was both sublime and ridiculous - a combination of an Edward Weston photograph and the sweat stains on Joe Crocker's brocade shirt during a rousing 1987 performance. It evolved into the lovely patterns of PCBs -- printed circuit boards. The viewer is encouraged to maintain a thoughtful attitude towards technological innovation.
	Most Innovative Use of the Medium Judith Dingle Reconstruction, ©JD 32 by 60 inches. Dupioni silk, fiberglass screen, wooden rods, rubber grommets and cotton. Artist's statement: Recently I have been exploring three-dimensional mixed media textile constructions that relate to the graphic imagery of my previous work. While alluding to the quilt format, these wall pieces extend the traditional definition of the quilt. By treating the block as a separate unit, I draw attention to its singular nature without denying its role in the larger image. The quilt's elements are fragmented, redefined and restored to create a new form and meaning.
Domini McCarthy Memorial Award Liesel Niesner A Rainbow for Greenpeace, ©LN 69 by 79 inches. Cotton fabrics, machine pieces, hand-appliquéd and hand quilted. Artist's statement: I enjoy creating a three-dimensional work out of such a flat medium as fabric and I delight in playing with colors and shadows. This work is dedicated to the organization Greenpeace, for struggling to keep the beauty of the earth for our children.
	People's Choice Award Ruth B. McDowell The Yellow Maple, ©RBM 86 by 68 inches. Cottons and linens; machine pieced and hand quilted. Artist's statement: October in a New England wood.