Press Release
'Quilting Natural Florida' exhibit to open at Fla. Museum June 10
For Immediate Release May 11, 2006
Contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Dir. of Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@ufl.edu
Writer: Emily Banks
PHOTOS AVAILABLE
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The Florida Museum of Natural History and the Quilters of Alachua County Day Guild will co-host "Quilting Natural Florida" June 10 - Sept. 4 at the Florida Museum. The exhibition features contemporary quilts with an emphasis on the plants, animals and environments of natural Florida.
"Each quilt expresses the artist's vision of some aspect of Florida's environment," said exhibit organizer Gloria Craft Comstock. "'Quilting Natural Florida' blends the skills and imagination of the quilting community with the mission of the Florida Museum of Natural History."
The exhibit will display more than 70 quilts, including four made by children, selected by a panel of jurors. Artists across Florida, as well as several other states, created many of the quilts specifically for the exhibit.
The construction of the quilts varies from traditional pattern elements to abstract, free-form designs. Each quilt represents hours of planning and effort, resulting in designs ranging from underwater scenes to canopy roads and garden flora. While the quilting styles vary, each quilt is either representational or symbolic of the heart of natural Florida.
"Quilting has always been a very personal art form, combining strong elements of tradition and innovation," said Darcie MacMahon, Florida Museum assistant director for exhibits. "This exhibit is no exception, as each quilt possesses a unique quilting style and story."
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The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $8.50 for adults ($7.50 Fla. residents) and $4.50 for children ages 3-12. Prices subject to change. For more information, including directions and parking, call (352) 846-2000, or visit, www.flmnh.ufl.edu.