Plenty quilters celebrate their community
By Joan Janzen
PLENTY - The quilting group in Plenty held their 6th Annual Quilt Show - “Stitching Together, a Community” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3rd at the Plenty United Church. The pews on the upper floor were festooned with beautiful quilts the group of ten had created during the past year. Each quilt was as unique as the person who had made it. Meanwhile a half dozen vendors had their wares on display downstairs and lunch was served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Local artist and quilt instructor, Carol Schmold, sponsored a quilt challenge for the group of local quilters, giving them an opportunity to submit a sample of what they had learned during the past year. The people’s choice winner was Laureen Schan from Dodsland. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
A large selection of quilts were on display at the Plenty United Church for the 6th Annual Quilt Show held on Saturday, May 4th. The majority of the quilts were made by the group of ten quilters during the past year. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Local artist and quilt instructor, Carol Schmold, presented her opening address at 11 a.m., when she encouraged those present to view the quilts in a “whole new light”. She described the back of the quilt as the “work horse”, representing every part of a quilter’s life that formed the foundation. “All the day-to-day life that continues to fill each moment,” Carol said. “And in between it all we manage to squeeze in the time to make a quilt.”
The front of the quilt is the quilter’s means of expressing their creativity, as each quilt relays its own personal story. However Carol highlighted the importance of the invisible middle layer. She continued to explain, this is the layer that makes a quilt different from any other art form, and provides the greatest warmth. “It is the bond of community and friendship that is quilting,” she said.
“When people gather together to share an activity they love, to attend a class or workshop, or to present a quilt show, it’s not about the quilts. It’s about offering moral support, being accepted for who you are, and learning a new way to express yourself.”
A few special exhibits were also on display, including antique dolls and toy tea sets and artwork by local artists. Carol sponsored a quilt challenge for the group of local quilters, who gained a few new members during the past year. They all had the opportunity to display a sample what they had learned throughout the year. The people’s choice winner was Laureen Schan from Dodsland.
“During the entire process a beautiful patchwork of souls comes together, and stitch by stitch a community is created,” Carol said. Plenty’s annual quilt show was another opportunity for the community to celebrate together.