August 23, 2005 > Outdoor Quilt Show

by Arathi Satish

The Mission San Jose Outdoor Quilt Show, sponsored by the Mission San Jose Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Mission Boulevard, the main street of the Historic Mission San Jose district of Fremont. This is the second year of the show that displays quilts from across the country. Quilts by first-time quilters as well as seasoned professionals will be featured at this colorful event.

This year's featured artist is Laura Koehler whose work has been displayed at the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara and the Art Guild Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her quilts have also appeared locally at Olive Hyde Art Gallery in Fremont and the Sun Gallery in Hayward. She was inspired to make her first original quilt in 1989 for a Piecemaker's Quilt Guild challenge. One of her quilts was selected for McCall's Magazine National Tour and two others to tour Europe with the Astra Art Exhibition for the Russian MIR Space Station and the Millennium Quilt Contest, sponsored by International Quilt Festival. In the future, the artist wants to incorporate fused glass embellishments in her work. You can view photos of Koehler's colorful quilts on the event's website, www.msjoutdoorquiltshow.com but better yet, come by the show to see them up close.

Around 300 quilts done by quilters of all ages, genders and skill levels will be on display. Antique and heirloom quilts will also be featured. Volunteers are needed to help out at this event. Those people interested can assemble at the Village Treasures on Thursday, August 25 at 6:30 in the evening to hose down buildings facades. Volunteers are also needed to hang quilts and clean up on August 27. Interested people may leave their names and phone numbers and send back via reply e-mail to dsmsjdev@infolane.com or info@msjoutdoorquiltsshow.com.

Also featured at the show will be the artwork of local artist Donna Sanson. Donna is a founding member of Artists 7, and teaches drawing and watercolor to adults at her gallery within the Empty Nest in Niles (north Fremont). In addition to the Mission San Jose Quilt images, her graphic designs have appeared on posters for the Niles Antique Faire and will grace the cover of What's Happening's 2005 Activity Guide.

The Mission San Jose Outdoor Quilt Show has received support and help from local quilting organizations and textile stores. Local businesses have also donated generously to the show. There will be a variety of merchandise available for sale at the show featuring Mission San Jose Outdoor Quilt Show logo artwork. Items include T-shirts, posters, quilt squares and note cards.

For more information, visit the Quilt Show's website at www.msjoutdoorquiltshow.com.

Quilt Show visitors are invited to stop by Village Treasures, 43393 Mission Boulevard, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for Moonstruck Chocolate Tasting. Check out these chocolate treasures at moonstruckchocolate.com.

Mission San Jose Outdoor Quilt Show
Saturday, August 27
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Show runs along Mission Boulevard between Washington Blvd. and Anza Street in Fremont
www.msjoutdoorquiltshow.com