Upcoming National Quilt Museum Exhibit, "Quilts of Caohagan," Highlights Fabric Art's Critical Role in Small Philippine Island Community

PADUCAH, Ky., July 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- To witness how the art of quilting can be both the cultural and economic focal point of an entire community, the National Quilt Museum (http://www.quiltmuseum.org) presents the "Quilts of Caohagan" exhibit. The quilts in this exhibit were all made by over 100 quilters on the tiny island of Caohagan in the Philippines. The quilters on the island work daily to produce quilts that are sold abroad.  The income from quilt sales makes up 1/3 of the entire revenue of the island.  The work of these extraordinary quilters ultimately funds food, education, housing, and other community necessities.  The exhibit will be at The National Quilt Museum from July 10^th to October 13^th.  As an additional treat, two quilters from the island will demonstrate their quilting process for Museum visitors in mid-August (exact dates will be announced on July 1^st).

"Caohagan's quilters are a testament to not only the power of quilting, but the power of community," explains National Quilt Museum CEO Frank Bennett. "Theirs is a lesson worth taking to heart, and we're proud to exhibit their exceptional work."

On a journey through Southeast Asia and Japan, author and quilter Dana Jones experienced the tropical splendor of Caohagan and its quilting community firsthand. Her forthcoming book, "Pagtinabangay: The Quilts and Quiltmakers of Caohagan Island," details these experiences, with a focus on how quilting has become an integral part of the island's economy.

"I was compelled to write this book by the many quilts I saw on Caohagan Island, each one a marvel of artistic expression," says Jones. "They are unique, they are beautiful and they are art that comes from the lives and visions of the island's quiltmakers. I was intrigued by how quiltmaking started on the island through Junko Yoshikawa's approach to teaching, which she prefers to see as mentoring as she works alongside the men and women who have taken up the art form. I was equally inspired by the quiltmakers' stories, lives and supportive community. For a visiting quilt enthusiast, Caohagan is truly paradise."

Distinctive is an apt descriptor for the quilts of Caohagan Island. The colors and patterns evoke the tropical environs, while the handicraft is of the highest caliber. Another unique aspect of all Caohagan's quilts is that each one is washed in the sea and line-dried in radiant sunlight. The results are quilts that evoke a far-away place but retain a human touch to which anyone who views them can relate.

Part of a seven-island atoll, Caohagan is home to just 600 permanent residents. About 100 of these residents are quilters.  The income from the sale of these quilts is a key to the island's sustainability.  Jones points out that while residents still face challenges, togetherness and appreciation for the small pleasures in life have proven to be a powerful bond. 

"You'll smile, even laugh, at these whimsical and beautiful quilts, each of them one of a kind," adds Jones.

About the National Quilt Museum

The National Quilt Museum is the world's largest museum devoted to quilts and fiber art. A destination for art enthusiasts worldwide, annually the Museum welcomes visitors from all 50 U.S. states and over 40 foreign countries from all corners of the globe. The Museum's onsite and traveling exhibits are viewed by over 120,000 people per year. In addition, over 6,000 youth and adults participate in the Museum's educational opportunities on an annual basis.

The Museum is located in a 27,000-square-foot facility in Paducah, Kentucky. The Museum's mission is to "Advance the art of today's quilters by making it accessible to new and expanding audiences worldwide." As their CEO Frank Bennett often states, "These are some of the most talented artists in the world and I want everyone to experience their work first-hand." The National Quilt Museum is a four-time TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence winner. It is located in Historic Downtown Paducah, Kentucky, which has been named a UNESCO Creative City.

Contact:

Amanda Ball, Marketing Director
National Quilt Museum
270-442-8856
Email

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150709/234646

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150709/234647

SOURCE National Quilt Museum

Related Links

http://www.quiltmuseum.org