Those of you reading this are probably thinking-that's an exaggeration. But after spending Friday with quilters from several different states, I'm positive these visitors embrace Paducah in a way few of us realize. Check out the "Welcome Quilters" video below...
On Friday, I spent the afternoon picking up quilters and taking them to whatever their next destination might be. They'd either be walking and carrying heavy packages or ladies that looked exhausted from a full day of activities or maybe simply sitting on benches waiting for the next shuttle. They truly shop til they drop. Meeting and talking with these talented and interesting women from cities throughout our country and the world are some of the bonus highlights of QuiltWeek.
These visitors see us as ultra hospitable and blessed past description to live in a town like Paducah. We hear comments like, "This is such a beautiful and clean town, people smile and are friendly and welcoming," Emily Prince from Cincinnati. Erika English from Denver, "I look forward to coming to Paducah every spring. Paducah has it all. All the seasons, fabulous restaurants, art in all forms and a sense of community
that you should be proud to share." Allison Newberry from Arizona, "I've been to 18 Quilt Shows in Paducah, and I'll be back in September. AQS knows how to attract the best of the best to one place and then teach us new techniques all at the same time. I'll see you in September." But my favorite was Maggie Biggs from north of St. Louis who said she's been to all the AQS Shows in Paducah and wouldn't think of missing the one in September. She's 71-years-old and usually brings someone different with her each time. Ladies she has brought in prior years also are here this year and now they bring their friends. She said, "Paducah is too good not to share with my family and friends. Coming here is like no other place where they have AQS shows. We feel like your people really like to see us and show off your hometown. I've never had a bad experience here. You don't get that so much in other towns. We like it. There's something about this AQS show that's like no other."
And it's true. For a fabric art enthusiast, this is as good as it gets. QuiltWeek in Paducah is undoubtedly a quilter's haven. It's obvious to those who travel hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles, this UNESCO Creative City is where it's happening. From unique hand-dyed fabric, being the home of the American Quilter's Society, having the "National" Quilt Museum right here year-round, magnificent works of fiber arts on exhibit all around town, learning opportunities with world renown teachers, fabulous food options at every event, museum and art experiences all within walking distance combined with red coated ambassadors at every turn to answer questions and share what's known internationally as Paducah hospitality - this is the place to be if you're even remotely interested in the fiber arts.
The main AQS Quilt Show and Contest is open at the Schroeder Expo today (Saturday) from 9 am - 4 pm.
29th Annual Rotary Antique Quilt Show and Vendor Mall open Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm at the Robert Cherry Civic Center, 2701 Park Ave. $7 for a multi-day pass purchased through AQS advanced registration or at-the-door. Quilters throughout history have adapted designs to fit their individual aesthetic. Their antique quilt collections for 2017 are full of unique variations of similar patterns. The pattern may be the same but the fabric choices, piecing methods and overall designs are reflective of the resources that were available to each maker in her time. Mary Kerr is proud to share this Variations exhibit in conjunction with The Rotary Club Paducah. Mary is an AQS Certified Appraiser, author, instructor, historian, and curator of all things fun and quilty from Woodbridge, Virginia. The Show also offers a merchant mall with 13 vendors. For more information, visit www.rotaryquiltshow.com.rtified Quilt Appraisers will appraise new and antique quilts in booth 3707 (Carroll Convention Center, 2nd floor). Walk-in appraisals are Saturday from 9 am - 3 pm for a $50 fee per quilt.
African American Quilt Exhibit at Hotel Metropolitan, 724 Oscar Cross Ave. in UpperTown, Saturday, admission is $8. Call 270-443-7918 for more info.
The National Quilt Museum, 201 Jefferson St. in downtown Paducah-Admission is $11 for adults, $10 for seniors (60 & over) and $5 for students. Free admission to The Quilt Museum Shop. Featured are three exciting exhibits during AQS QuiltWeek – Spring Paducah,
• New Quilts from an Old Favorite & Antique Flying Geese: Finalists and winners from the annual New Quilts from an Old Favorite competition are showcased along with traditional examples featuring the theme of the Flying Geese piecework.
• A Walk in the Woods : Quilts by Pat Durbin.
• Growing Power: Quilts by Jane Sassaman.
• The National Quilt Museum Collection: View a selection of quilts from the Museum’s Collection, including the Oh Wow! Miniature Collection.
• George and Virginia Siciliano Quilting Demonstrations today from10 am - 4 pm in the museum lobby. George and Virginia are the ONLY husband and wife to both have quilts in The National Quilt Museum Collection.
• NQM will provide a van going back and forth from the AQS Shuttle Stop at the Convention Center to the Museum during show hours. Hungry? Your favorite Paducah deli Kirchhoff’s Deli & Bakery will offer lunch today (Saturday) from 10 am - 2 pm in the Museum's Atrium. For more info: http://quiltmuseum.org/ or call 270-442-8856. NQM Hours: Saturday 8 am - 6 pm and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm.
Fantastic Fibers 2017 - Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway in the Historic 1905 Market House - Saturday 9 am – 8 pm and Sunday, noon - 5 pm. Visit this exhibit as many times as you want during AQS QuiltWeek. Retail: $5 for a multi-day pass purchased through AQS advanced registration or at-the-door. Internationally recognized juried fiber art exhibition features a compelling mix of traditional and nontraditional works created using natural or synthetic fibers, or works dealing with the theme of fiber, in an array of processes including quilting, weaving, embroidery, basketry and more. One of Yeiser’s most engaging, innovative and colorful annual exhibitions, Fantastic Fibers is an inspirational “must see” for quilters, artists and art enthusiasts. For more info, visit: www.theyeiser.org or call 270-442-2453.
• New Quilts from an Old Favorite & Antique Flying Geese: Finalists and winners from the annual New Quilts from an Old Favorite competition are showcased along with traditional examples featuring the theme of the Flying Geese piecework.
• A Walk in the Woods : Quilts by Pat Durbin.
• Growing Power: Quilts by Jane Sassaman.
• The National Quilt Museum Collection: View a selection of quilts from the Museum’s Collection, including the Oh Wow! Miniature Collection.
• George and Virginia Siciliano Quilting Demonstrations today from10 am - 4 pm in the museum lobby. George and Virginia are the ONLY husband and wife to both have quilts in The National Quilt Museum Collection.
• NQM will provide a van going back and forth from the AQS Shuttle Stop at the Convention Center to the Museum during show hours. Hungry? Your favorite Paducah deli Kirchhoff’s Deli & Bakery will offer lunch today (Saturday) from 10 am - 2 pm in the Museum's Atrium. For more info: http://quiltmuseum.org/ or call 270-442-8856. NQM Hours: Saturday 8 am - 6 pm and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm.
Fantastic Fibers 2017 - Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway in the Historic 1905 Market House - Saturday 9 am – 8 pm and Sunday, noon - 5 pm. Visit this exhibit as many times as you want during AQS QuiltWeek. Retail: $5 for a multi-day pass purchased through AQS advanced registration or at-the-door. Internationally recognized juried fiber art exhibition features a compelling mix of traditional and nontraditional works created using natural or synthetic fibers, or works dealing with the theme of fiber, in an array of processes including quilting, weaving, embroidery, basketry and more. One of Yeiser’s most engaging, innovative and colorful annual exhibitions, Fantastic Fibers is an inspirational “must see” for quilters, artists and art enthusiasts. For more info, visit: www.theyeiser.org or call 270-442-2453.
American Quilter's Society Sanctioned Quilt Exhibition at Paducah School of Art & Design, 905 Harrison St. Call 270-408-4278 for more info.
So so much more to see and do: visit www.paducah.travel
On the Net:
2017 Welcome Quilters to Paducah video
