NYQuilts! - New Quilt Show in New York State
When a group of women in the Albany, New York area got to thinking about
quilt shows, one topic came up over and over again - why wasn't there a
statewide level show in New York State? In 1994, this group began to study
the idea and other quilt shows, looking into what it would take to put
on such a show, where it could be held and all the details.
The first NYQuilts! show was held in 1996, as an event for the Quilters
Consortium of NY State, a consortium of guilds in the state. The organizing
committee for that show decided that the response was good enough to continue
the event on a yearly basis. The organization was incorporated as a non-profit
and NYQuilts! was held again in 1997. NYQuilts! received its 501(c)3 tax
exempt status in 1998 from the IRS.
Any proceeds from the NYQuilts! shows goes to support the activities
and goals of NYQuilts!. Part of this set of goals is accomplished by the
quilt show and the classes and lectures presented, as well as by providing
a forum where quilters may meet and communicate with each other. In the
future, NYQuilts! would like to provide support for other organizations
which use quilts in their educational programs. For example, this might
include small museums who have quilts in their collections or schools which
wish to use quilting in their curriculums.
It is the goal of NYQuilts! to help quilters learn more about quilting
and quilt making, both by the quilts on display and through the offering
of classes and lectures and other events during the show. The teachers
and classes are selected to offer an array of skills and techniques to
benefit all levels of quilters, allowing beginners and more experienced
quilters to advance their quilting.
NYQuilts! accepts quilts for display as room permits. There is no jurying
of quilts before hand, in order to include as many quilters as possible
and to encourage quilters to display their quilts. Quilts are judged and
ribbons are awarded on a point system which rewards each quilter's accomplishments.
The quilt show is held on the beautiful campus of Russell Sage College,
Troy, New York. Russell Sage was founded as a ladies-only liberal arts
college by the widow of a wealthy man who did not believe in the education
of women. Troy , the "Collar City," was a center of the garment
industry where women joined together to support and help each other. All
and all an apt place for quilters to come together and share their excitement
and achievements.
The Russell Sage campus offers lovely classrooms and lecture halls as
well as residence and dining halls for those wishing to stay on campus
during the show. Bush Memorial Hall or Schact Fine Arts center was a beautiful
setting for the Fairfield Fashion Show.
Information & Action Shots of Past Shows - Our Volunteers
and Visitors having Fun!
What's ahead for NYQuilts! ?
Plans are already underway for next year's show - choosing teachers
and invitationals. We welcome your comments and suggestions to help us
present a show that will be fun and educational for all quilters.
NYQuilts! hopes you'll come to the next show and enjoy the quilts, teachers
and special events and leave inspired and energized by all you've experienced.
Check back at the main show web page
for developing information about classes and lectures. For complete
information on paper, send a LSASE with 55¢ postage to NYQuilts!,
PO Box 93, Brainard, NY 12024-0093.