Delectable Mountain Quilt Show
Thru May 31, 2004

Dozens of traditional and contemporary quilts and other stitched items from the local Delectable Mountains Quilters open in a special exhibit at the Ice House Gallery with a gala reception on Friday, April 23 at 7:30pm. Produced by the Morgan Arts Council. the quilt show opening is centerpiece of an Art Walk in downtown Berkeley Springs, WV that includes a stop at Mountain Laurel and A.Gallarano Gallery. The quilt show hangs through May 31. Much of the fabric art on display will be available for sale.

From 5 to 7:30 pm on Friday, Mountain Laurel Crafts features the work of watercolorist Lynn Ferris. Down the block, A.Gallarano Gallery is showcasing Mission and Stickley furniture. Refreshments are served at all three locations.

One of the most anticipated quilts in the show is Ann Darling’s not-yet-finished piece featuring more than 50 leaves on a background of a wild jungle pattern. Not only are the leaves each in a different fabric but some are stuffed to make them two dimensional and others are scattered randomly across the quilt. “This is not something matchey-matchey,” said Darling who has been working to make her quilting more innovative. Darling’s entry in the 2003 Ice House quilt show was recently accepted into the prestigious national quilt exhibit in Paducah, Kentucky. “Was I ever surprised,” said Darling.

“Breaking Out” is both the title and the metaphor of Rika Bennett’s colorful pinwheel quilt featured on the postcard announcing the show. “I have a little square off-pattern at the bottom of the quilt that is Ann Darling, breaking out,” said Bennett. The 31st annual Apple Butter festival quilt is another Bennett creation that will debut at the show. Called Tulip Garden, the appliqued quilt made of batiked fabrics deviates from the usual fall-color palette of the festival quilts. “It’s pastel and pretty,” said Bennett. “The tulips are all sherbert colors. I could eat it with a spoon.” The quilt also features Bennett’s trademark fancy stitching and stippling. Chances will be sold on Tulip Garden which will be given away at the October festival in Berkeley Springs.

“Each of the 30 members in the quilt group have something in the show,” said Jane Frenke, an award-winning quilter who curates the show. "Some of them are new members and are participating in a show for the first time." She ticks off several of the more unique items. “Several members have created these remarkable lint gathering bags for sale. They are a very creative design.” Frenke describes a series of interesting hangings and objects made from “fat quarters,” which are small pieces of fabric collected in the process of constructing large quilts. She also mentions Judy Merica’s Irish Chain which has been more than three years in the making. “The show is going to be really wonderful this year,” Frenke promised. Like Darling, Frenke has a quilt at the Paducah show, her second year of being accepted.

“My quilting changed when I came to Berkeley Springs and began working with the quilt group,” said Darling. “It makes a big difference to have other quilters to bounce ideas off,” she said, echoing the feelings of most of the members.

On Saturday, May 15, the group has scheduled a series of stitching, dyeing and pieceing demonstrations at the Ice House Gallery.

The Ice House Gallery quilt show is funded through grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and local hotel/motel tax revenues. The Ice House is located on the corner of Independence and Mercer streets. The gallery is open from 11am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information call 258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org