State of the Art Quilt Exhibition

Queensland Quilters Inc has been exhibiting members’ works through a juried exhibition called STATE of the ART Quilt Exhibition (SOTA) since 2009.

Since its inception, SOTA has featured between 20 and 30 quilts and each year, we have had a wonderful representation of the talents of Qld Quilters members.

All members are eligible to enter this juried exhibition. A juror maybe be a local artist, usually a textile artist, or someone known nationally. They are sent images (one full and one detail of each entry) and are asked to choose a cohesive show through these alone. It’s not an easy task.

The reward for entrants is being chosen, through this process, to have a quilt in the SOTA exhibition and to have their quilts displayed in a number of Queensland Art Galleries.

The exhibition travels throughout south-east Queensland and brings the art of quilting to so many more of the general public. It opens their eyes to the realization that quilts can be art pieces. Some of the art works are offered for sale during the exhibitions and some have been sold. To date, the exhibitions have been seen at Boonah, Childers, Redlands, Caboolture, Warwick, Crows Nest, Gatton and Chinchilla.

Each year, we endeavour to have an ‘Opening/Launch’. 2018’s ‘Opening’ was held at the Boonah Art Gallery and members of Qld Quilters were well represented at this first viewing of the year’s exhibition. First time entrants who are selected find it exciting to have their work exhibited in an Art Gallery. Regional Art Galleries have been very supportive in accepting the exhibition without any knowledge of the pieces presented.

In 2018 for the first time, SOTA was judged and awarded First Prize sponsored by BERNINA Australia, and Second and Third Prizes sponsored by Qld Quilters Inc.