LIHUE — Quilters are getting excited about the opening of the 2019 Kauai Quilt Show Friday at the Kauai Society of Artists gallery at Kukui Grove Center.
“There were a few Paper Piecing quilts on display during last year’s show,” said Jenny Conley. “That impressed me to work on some quilts that I’ll have in this year’s show that runs through Feb. 20.”
The Kauai Quilt Show opens with a quilters’ reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the KSA gallery where quilt afficionadoes are able to meet with individual quilters and listen to the stories that come with each of the more than 70 quilts that will be on display.
“We have a lot of quilts — more than a hundred,” said Lea Ingram. “We encourage each of the quilters to enter three pieces, two of which will be on display. If a quilt gets sold, there are more that will take its place on the walls. That means the display is always changing because new quilts go on display.”
Sponsored by the Kauai Quilt Guild, Nene Quilters, Vicky’s Fabrics, Kapaia Stitchery, and the Discount Fabric Warehouse, the show is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is no admission fee to view the quilts, browse through the donation quilts, or shop in the boutique which is new to this year’s show.
Ingram said there are also nearly 50 donation quilts where 100 percent of the proceeds from its sale are presented to a select list of nonprofit organizations.
Visitors to the Kauai Quilt Show can vote on a Viewer’s Choice, the winner being eligible to have the piece featured on future promotional materials. Last year’s winner, Esther Smith, is prominently featured in fliers and giveaways.
“We also have improved lighting in improve the viewing experience,” Ingram said. “And, we have selections coming from some of the younger quilters who discovered the art of quilting.”