One of the biggest quilt shows on Vancouver Island, which takes place every three years, is ready to show off some of the best work of local quilt artists June 22-24.
The Parksville Quilt Show, put on by the Parksville Quilt House Quilters’ Guild, will run at the Oceanside Place Arena, with more than 300 quilts on display, many quilted items for sale, trunk shows, daily door prizes, a junior fibre arts exhibit and more.
The guild’s president, Elaine Eddy, said the show is, “probably the premier show on the Island. We like to think of it that way.”
With 341 members, the guild includes internationally known quilters, she said.
Some of their best work will be on display, including as part of the guild’s theme challenge.
Every triennial show, the guild issues a challenge to members with a theme, particular criteria and a selection of material. This year’s theme is Be Dazzled, and the creations of the challenge participants will be a surprise too all those involved at the start of the show, said Eddy.
“We don’t get to see them until the show. There’s always a reveal.”
The quilt guild has a long history in the area, having started in 1979, said Eddy. While many members have decades worth of experience quilting, the guild is also seeing new, younger members join. At the show, the guild will also feature a youth quilting display, with quilters aged about eight to 18, said Eddy.
The quilt show also runs as a fundraiser for the guild’s charitable and educational programs, much of which goes towards its comfort quilts program.
“The whole reason for our being is our comfort quilts,” said Eddy.
Quilts and quilted items made by guild members get donated to hospitals, cancer clinics, senior residences, Meals on Wheels, Palliative Care Units and other non-profit organizations.
While many guild members are art quilters, Eddy said her passion is in making quilts to be used. She said making and giving a quilt to someone is a special thing for her.
“I have a very large family,” she said. “To be able to gift a quilt to a new mom when their baby is born is really heartwarming, and the appreciation that they feel for it, and knowing that that baby is going to be warm and cozy.”
Last year, quilt donations by the guild exceeded $31,000.
The guild makes money for the program through entrance fees, raffles, tickets on basket draws at the quilt show, as well as with the special event its holding June 22, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre. It will feature internationally recognized fibre artists Judy Leslie and Robin Fischer with several of their art pieces to discuss the processes they used to create them.
Eddy said she’s hoping the quilt show will bring in about $30,000.
Entrance fees for the show are $8 a day or $15 for a three-day pass (those under 18 years old enter free).
The show runs from June 22 to 24 at Oceanside Place Arena. The show runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the first two days, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 24.
For more info, go to www.parksvillequiltshow2018.com.