Upcoming Exhibits

Henry Hite and his wife, Angela, have been collecting quilts for years. He said he’s particularly fond of his Hawaiian quilts because of their beauty and rarity.

Most folks don’t think of “Hawaii” and “quilt” in the same breath because it’s so warm there, but he said quilters in Hawaii quickly developed their own themes and techniques. Among the most visually striking of all quilt designs, Hawaiian appliqué quilts are unique for their “snowflake” designs. Originally brought to the islands by New England missionaries, these special quilts are imbued with the myths and traditions of the native Hawaiian population, and references to the plant life and mythology of the islands.

His quilts date from 1890 to about 1992. They’re made by appliquing one color on top of another, the top color featuring a design with Hawaiian themes, such as palm trees, bread fruit or pineapples, but there are also flag themes that feature both the Hawaiian flag and American flags.

A free opening reception for the exhibits is scheduled from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, April 26. The reception is open to the public. The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum is open every day: 10-4 Monday through Saturday and 11-4 Sunday.

–The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum was incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in 1982; RMQM opened in 1990 in downtown Golden, Colorado, with a gift of 101 quilts from the personal collection of Eugenia Mitchell, the Museum’s founder.

–RMQM was the third quilt museum in the United States in 1990 and is now one of eleven dedicated quilt museums in the country.

–RMQM has a global reach welcoming visitors from 6 continents, multiple countries and each of the United States.

–Two galleries hosts 8 exhibits a year—showcasing over 250 quilts, historical and contemporary art quilts from the museum’s collection, as well as quilts by national and regional quilt artists. Exhibitions range from traditional to contemporary, each with a unique style and theme.