Art of the Quilter coming to Wittenberg

Entries cost $10 and one person can enter up to two pieces
By: 
Luke Reimer
Reporter

The WOWSPACE in Wittenberg is preparing to host another art show.

2022’s Art of the Quilter will take place during three weekends, including the weekends of Jan. 22-23, Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 5-6. The show is free to enter and donations are encouraged.

Mary Koeppel, who is part of the group that is hosting the show, said holding a quilt show gives the community an opportunity to see quilting performed as an art.

“This is a non-juried and non-judged show,” said Koeppel. “I think that keeping this show as non-judged and non-juried brings more people in to show off their art.”

With this being Koeppel’s fourth time hosting this show, she said that they look for approximately 40 quilts to put on display.

“We have 24 quilts that are pre-registered right now,” said Koeppel.

Last year, Koeppel said that 50 quilts were on display. She also added that last year was down in attendance due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are expecting more people this year,” said Koeppel.

She added that out of the 50 quilts that were on display last year, some came from all over the state.

“We had quilts from Green Bay, Wausau, Minocqua and even as far as Milwaukee,” said Koeppel.

Due to this show being non-judged, visitors to the show have the opportunity to place tickets next to the quilts that resonate the most with them. The quilt with the highest number of tickets is awarded the people’s choice award. She added that there is also an award of excellence that goes to the most elaborate and extraordinary quilt.

“The people that come to see the quilts are usually people who aren’t quilters,” said Koeppel. “I think that some people are really surprised to see how elaborate some quilts can be.”

Koeppel said that the quilts with the best stories usually are popular, including “rescue quilts.”

“Rescue quilts are quilts that were started and were never really finished,” said Koeppel. “It might be that a grandparent started a quilt and it was later picked up by a grandchild.”

She added that this event is good one for community members and families to attend.

“This is strictly a quilt show,” said Koeppel. “We have seen families come and really enjoy this show in the past.”

If someone wants to enter the show, it is $10 for an entry, and one person can submit up to two entries. The sponsors for this show are Walls of Wittenberg, Shops on Grande, Applewood Lane Alpacas and Pinery Patches.


lreimer@newmedia-wi.com