One stitch, two stitch, red stitch, blue stitch. Quilting is a pastime that requires lots of planning, precision and patience. It is a skill that can be passed down from generation to generation, or be self-taught. Inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere. Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild’s show coordinator Marian Eason has been quilting for about 20 years.
“Most of the time ideas just come to me,” she said. “I think about them a long time, sometimes I sketch it out, then I get to work.”
Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks is hosting a reception for the Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild’s annual quilting challenge at the Museum of Moab on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. Every year, the guild elects a challenge theme from which the quilters derive inspiration to create a quilt. This year’s challenge celebrates Canyonlands National Park’s 50th anniversary. Members of the guild created quilts depicting what Canyonlands National Park means to them.
Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks is a group that is dedicated to upholding the legacy of Bates Wilson, “Father of Canyonlands”. Founded in 2006, it has been promoting strong personal connections with the land, preservation of the land, and encouraging exploration and educational opportunities.
Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks executive director Joette Langianese was inspired to move to Moab when she camped at Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park.
“It’s a very special park – it’s spectacular,” she said. “There’s something about the landscape that draws us in and keeps us here.”
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks interpretive operations specialist Sharon Brussell has been working with the National Park Service for over 15 years. She recognizes the importance of the park to the community and visitors and vice-versa.
“We have great support from the community as well as friends and family of the park,” she said. “People are excited about celebrating the 50th and sharing their enthusiasm for how the park inspires them.”
Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks is celebrating Canyonlands National Park’s 50th anniversary throughout the summer. It has already hosted an art show, is putting on free concerts, will show a special exhibit in the Museum of Moab, and is showing the Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild’s annual challenge “Impressions of Canyonlands”. For more information about celebration events, go to canyolands50.org.
“It is always heart-warming to see personal connections to the park,” Brussell said. “It shows we need these places for solace, inspiration, hope, and many good memories.”
The Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild was founded in 1998 by a group of women who recognized they, along with many others, had a common interest. Currently the group has over 30 members. They meet once a month for a show-and-tell and mini-lessons on design, technique, and other quilting tools. Members of the guild learn from each other and sometimes bring in other teachers for workshops.
Every year, the guild chooses a quilting challenge that is displayed in the Museum of Moab. This year, the show “Impressions of Canyonlands” features 22 quilts by 16 artists.
Eason is showing two pieces that show her relationship with the history of park.
“My husband was career park service,” she said. “We spent a lot of time in the park. It’s still a special place.”
She noted that many other quilters are former park service employees and also share close connections to the park. Viewers can vote for their favorite quilt on display and the artists who receives most votes will get a cash prize from the Utah Quilt Guild. All the quilts are currently on display at the Museum of Moab and will be there until the reception. The reception is an open invitation to the public to come see the hard work of these quilters. For more information about the Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild, go to moabquilts.blogspot.com.
What: Reception for the Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild’s annual quilting challenge
When: Saturday, Aug. 2, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Museum of Moab, 118 E. Center St
Cost: Free
“It’s a very special park – it’s spectacular. There’s something about the landscape that draws us in and keeps us here.”
Quilt guild stitches up pieces inspired by Canyonlands National Park for annual challenge
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