Some of the area’s most talented artists will be showing off their work in just over a week.
Downtown will be filled with colour and will look really comfy as a plethora of quilts adorn Centre Street on Saturday, July 7, in the third bi-annual Quilting in the Badlands Outdoor Quilt Show.
Quilters from the Drumheller area, and few from further afield, have been labouring over their art for two years.
“It’s to display the artwork of the local quilters in and around Drumheller. It’s a day of fun,” said Tara Semchuk, owner of Bits & Pieces Keepsake Quilting.
Part of Centre Street will be blocked off during the event and the quilts hung up on two clotheslines. Downtown merchants will also display many of the quilts.
During the event there will be a barbecue and the Royal Alberta Museum will be presenting a history of quilting in Western Canada, a new addition to this year’s show. There are two sessions with the museum, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“It’s a new quilt project the museum has been working on and they just started showing public presentations in the last three months,” said Semchuk.
Quilting has a long history in North America, and it’s practitioners cite many benefits for the hobby.
“Of course blankets keep you warm,” joked Semchuck. “But, it’s a hobby many ladies get a lot of gratification out of. It’s a relaxing hobby and they make great gifts.”
Anyone is welcome to have their quilt displayed. Those interested can drop off their quilts at Bits & Pieces Keepsake Quilts on Centre Street anytime before 5 p.m. Friday, July 6. Quilters can request to have their work hung inside or outside.
Non-quilters are encouraged to attend as well. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 7.
“Come out , take in the sights, and everything else going on,” said Semchuk. “The quilts will be on display for everyone to enjoy.”
