Chicago Quilt Expo

Yesterday I went to the Chicago Quilt Exposition, a Mancuso show, the Grand Finale of the World Quilt Competition. This show has been in Michigan in the past, and this is the first time it's been in Chicago, I think. They must have been disappointed with the turnout which was pretty slim for what's a good show. What I like about it is that the quilts are not the same ones that keep showing up at shows and in American magazines. The quality may not always be as good as at Paducah or Houston, but the variety is interesting. "Best of the World" was Wrought Iron Roses by Linda M. Roy, which I've seen pictured several times. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture, so you'll just have to take my word for it that the quilting is absolutely phenomenal. Here are some of my favorites, not winners.

First are South African quilts. We were there last year, so I particularly liked the one of South African trees, by Dee Oxborrow (I think), and the one called Zulu Kingdom by Jenny Williamson and Pat Parker. These images seem more "real" to me than the wild animal ones that people expect.



But who can resist a flowered warthog?



I'm so sorry I don't know who did this quilt.

There was a special exhibit by the Professional Art Quilt Alliance on the theme of water. These were fascinating. Here's my favorite, Rain on the Lanai, by Judy L. Clausen. The subtlety of this doesn't show up as well as I wish it did.



Another special exhibit was by Wendy Butler Burns, and this one is a favorite.



Other special exhibits included the Alzheimer's Forgetting Piece by Piece collection; a Hoffman Challenge group, including the dolls, which I've never seen before; a collection of Ann Fahl's quilts featuring her cat Oreo; and an exhibit by the Chicago School of Fusing (Laura Wasilowsi, Frieda Anderson, Melody Johnson and others).

And finally, for no reason except I like pink and yellow: Tivoli, by a New Zeeland quilter named Chris Behersing.