Mesa Stitching Together features famous antique quilt

September 3, 2019 at 2:28 pm

The Mesa Historical Museum will open its next exhibit Stitching Mesa Together - Community through Making at the Old Lehi School, 2345 N. Horne, on Sept. 14, 2019. Festivities will start with a members only reception from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mayor John Giles and Vice-Mayor Mark Freeman will be on hand for the opening to greet members and the participating artists. The exhibit will be opened to the general public from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The exhibit showcases how participating in crafts has helped to build community. From quilting and knitting, to weaving and basketry, crafts have been an integral part of group activity. These groups have in many cases become essential community support mechanisms in times of need; while other crafts, saddlery and metal work, have contributed to community celebrations. This exhibit will feature the 1918 Mesa Red Cross Quilt and the award-winning Mother Daughter Redwork Quilt made by Bernice Abbott, Diane Pitchford, and Barbara Polston, founder of the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame.

Executive Director Leon Natker said "This exhibit showcases the incredible talents of artists from Mesa's past and present. This exhibit shows how these artisanal crafts have become in many cases fine art and are still a part of the Mesa community. We have an extraordinary group of local artists coming to share their work and talent with the Mesa community."

Along with historic pieces there will be contemporary works on display by Ron Carlos (pottery), August Wood (basketry), Jean Doig (lace making), Jennifer Arnold (leather work), Lydia Quinones (weaving) and Sharon Chung (Metal Jewelry) among others. All of these artists will be on hand to offer demonstrations of their work, which will be on sale in the museum gift shop. In addition, members of the Telarana Fiber Art Society, the Lacey Ladies of Arizona, the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame and the Starlight Stitchers embroidery group will offer demonstrations of these and other crafts dating from prehistoric and pioneer days to the present.

The exhibit will run from Sept. 14, 2019 until Jan. 4, 2020. Various artists will be on hand each Saturday offering demonstrations and activities for children. For a full schedule see the museum's website www.mesahistoricalmuseum.com.

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission:
Adults$5
Seniors (65+)$4
Youth (under 21)$3
Children (under 3)Free
Groups (10+)$3
MembersFree

For further information contact the museum at (480) 835-2286 or online at www.mesahistoricalmuseum.com.

Contact:
Leon Natker, Executive Director
480-835-2286
619-481-4972
leon@mesamuseum.org