The art of quilting comes to the Beloit Art Center

From designer wall hangings to traditional coverlets and on to colorful banners, the joy of quilting will be shared with the public when the Beloit Art Center hosts its next show Friday, Oct. 5 from 5-8 p.m. at 520 E. Grand Ave.
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The quilts will be in the Main Gallery. In the Bell Gallery will be a corresponding exhibit of mixed media on wood.
From 5-6 p.m., Steve Bogdonas will provide classical guitar music. At 6 p.m., the quilters will talk about their work.

The art quilters are Pam Moller and Karen Neuendorf.
Among the many quilts Moller will display is a four- panel series of wall hangings. The striking three-dimensional pieces measure a total of 14 feet and are titled “Falling Leaves.”
Moller says she loves trees and draws inspiration from nature and her surroundings. And she loves to experiment.
“There’s no end to it, I am learning something new all the time,” she said.
Neuendorf has been a quilter since 2008. Many of her quilts reflect the places she has traveled to. Others are based on her love of circles and bright colors.
“Art quilting gives me the opportunity to create with no boundaries,” she says.
Sally McFerren, longtime owner of Attic Quilts in downtown Beloit, will exhibit two traditional quilts with jewel tones rich in reds, greens, blues and purples. She also will display a special quilt created by her grandmother in 1928.
“I credit her with inspiring me to do quilting,” McFerren says.
The St. Paul Piecemakers have been meeting every Tuesday for 25 years at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Initially they made quilted banners representing the church year. That has grown to include quilts for high school graduates and Comfort Quilts for those who are ill or in in need of prayer and comfort. The Piecemakers include: Jean Neitzel, Billie Kenitzer, Jackie Nicholson and Karen Neaf.

In the Bell Gallery, Molly Dillon will exhibit “Putting the Pieces Together.” “The series was inspired by the pieces that make up a quilt, the colors, patterns and their placement that tell a story or at least set a certain feeling or mood,” Dillon says.
The mixed media pieces have a base of wood with added paint, felt, glue and stone to add texture and dimension.
Several items in both the Main Gallery and the Bell Gallery will be for sale.