Southport Quilt Show Kicks Off with Preview Reception

Southport Quilt Show Kicks Off with Preview Reception

By Mike Lauterborn

(for HamletHub.com/Fairfield)

3/1/12

Southport, CT, Thursday, March 1 – Dozens of people reported to Southport Congregational Church Thursday evening for a cocktail reception and sneak peak at the 10th Annual “Fabrics and Fabrications” Quilt Show.

The evening not only provided a preview of some 140 quilts on display in the Sanctuary and Chapel of the church facility, but also the many creative repurposed items in the Library, renamed the “Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice!” area.

The Fellowship Hall, where the reception was concentrated, also featured a Boutique with an estimated 250 miscellaneous handmade items, from hanger covers, mini quilts and pin cushions to needlepoint coasters, scarves and baby items – priced from $1 to $60.

While the many quilts on hand were extraordinary examples of hand-craftsmanship, on par were the Library items. Among the front runners: photography by Daniel Mosher Long, mixed media by Enid Munroe, hooked rugs by Patricia Ringston, painted tin folk art by Peter Ompir and sweater pillows by Richard Killeaney. Paper art compositions by Danielle Desplan, prints by Dalton Ghetti, book birdhouses by David Vissat and wood compositions by John Long were also extraordinary.

Perhaps most remarkable were “recycled fashions” created by Fairfield Warde High School students. These included a dress made from Twix and Snickers candy wrappers and a trash bag mini skirt.

Church youth circled the reception offering raffle tickets at $5 a pop for a chance to win one of five prizes: a Bee Attitude twin bed quilt, framed Paul Landry framed print, large tote bag from Sea Bags, a Zerega wall hangin and a $50 gift certificate redeemable at Close to Home. A drawing will be conducted on Saturday at 3:30pm.

Proceeds from the exhibit benefit three organizations this year: Make A Wish, Bridgeport’s Project Learn and Emerge. Make A wish grants the wishes of children with life threatening diseases. Project Learn enriches the lives of young people with after school programs. Emerge provides a safe environment for survivors of domestic violence and their children. 

The exhibit also honored quilt show founders Judy Reynolds and Cecily Zerega, who were presented with tokens of appreciation by Reverend Paul Whitmore.

The quilt show will be open to the public Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3, from 10am to 4:30pm each day. General admission is $10 per person.