Shock on Q=A=Q Opening Night (3 of 3)
We arrived a bit later than planned for the opening night of the Q=A=Q exhibit at the Schweinfurth Art Center on October 25. It was a rainy evening; the cloak room was filled. People were milling about taking in the show, reconnecting with friends, enjoying refreshments.
This is always a special event, showcasing a wide range of unique voices from the quilting world in a wonderful setting. The staff at SAC handle the art work with great care and professionalism. The staging is thoughtfully and tastefully presented. This year's jurors, Petra Fallaux and Paula Kovarik, chose 70 art quilts from pieces submitted by 330 artists who could submitted no more than two pieces for consideration. Curating a show is a major feat and their choices spotlight quilts from across the country as well as Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway, and South Korea.
When you enter the space, you are aware of the creative energy that fills the gallery. Usually, I like to start at the beginning and kind of stumble on my piece in spontaneous discovery. But this year, with my double sided quilt, I was anxious to see if it would be displayed so it could be seen from both sides. It was a satisfying feeling to see it hanging where people could move around it, just as I'd hoped.
Now, I could begin to take in the show in its entirety. Shortly thereafter we were called to gather for the awards ceremony. As names were called, I made a mental note: "Yes, I saw that one," "I want to go back to take a second look at that piece," and "I missed that one,- need to check it out later."
Then they announced the award for Best in Show. Pause. Wait, did she just say my name?! I was flabbergasted. And totally unprepared for the honor. I never anticipated the wave of emotion that swept over me. The best way I could think to describe it was, . . . in that moment, . . . I felt, . . . seen.
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