The Evolutions Quilt Challenge: Quilting's not just for grandmas anymore

By Susan Froyd Tue., Sep. 11 2012 at 6:59 AM

Categories: Arts and Culture

"Sandstone Fins at Arches," by Erlene Irwin.

One upshot of the current handmade/crafting renaissance: Quilts are back. Walk into Fancy Tiger in Baker, for instance, and you'll be greeted by a rainbow of cheerful fabrics cut in squares suitable for the age-old tradition; modern quilts also took ribbons last month at the Denver County Fair.

And the quilts you'll see in the Evolutions Quilt Challenge exhibit, currently on display at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, bear only a minimal resemblance to the quilts your grandma used to stitch.

"Fossils #5," Cynthia St. Charles.

The top three placing quilts in the juried competition are wildly different: The most traditional of the trio is more like a tapestry of fossils caught in strata, another pictures Krishna dancing under a garland of flowers, the third is a photorealistic landscape. All were created in answer to a challenge to address the past and future of quiltmaking.

"Krishna Brings the Rain," Jean Herman.

Study the answers through October 27 at the museum; the galleries are open daily and admission is $3 to $6 (or free for members and children ages five and under). For information visit RMQM online or call 303-277-0377.

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