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Upcoming Exhibits


   April 21 ~ July 19, 2025  
  
Opening Reception for exhibitors and RMQM members and their guests: Friday April 25, 2025 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm

SAQA Broad Spectrum: Abundant Palette

Main Gallery

Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) defines an art quilt as ‘a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure.’

The Montana / Idaho region of SAQA artists were invited to explore the variety of meanings, images and experiences evoked by the theme Broad Spectrum: Abundant Palette. This exhibit includes 34 works by 28 artists chosen by a single juror in a blind process. Using only photographs and the artist statements, the juror selected works that she determined met the theme, and appeared to show mastery of techniques and expert craftsmanship.

The natural surroundings and geographic beauty of the region are reflected in many of the works. The boundaries of tradition are pushed as well as established materials used in new and exciting ways. Many works express thoughts, moods or personal stories. Experiments with surface design result in some dynamic works. Repurposing found materials as well as creating something totally new from older more traditional items is evident in some works as well.

 

Colorado Japanese American Women's Quilt Project
Northeast Gallery
A Reception to celebrate the 30th Anniversary exhibit of these commemorative quilts will be held Friday April 25, 2025 from 4-6pm, followed by an Opening Reception for Museum Members and Guests, as well as exhibiting artists of both Exhibits of Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum that open April 21, 2025. This will include the Colorado Japanese American Women’s Quilt Project exhibit and Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA)’s traveling exhibit, Broad Spectrum: Abundant Palette.

In 1995, 3 Nisei (2nd generation) Denver women visited the Smithsonian’s touring exhibit of early American quilts. After the visit, these 3 women initiated a similar project to tell the Colorado Japanese American women’s story through the creation of quilts.

This project was initially shown with the Smithsonian Exhibit “Strength and Diversity: Japanese American Women 1885-1990 at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities in Arvada, CO from Nov 1995-January 1996.

90 women created 9 quilts telling stories of 72 families. Through the use of a variety of materials and designs, each quilt represents a culturally rich depiction of heritage, daily life, and family journeys, providing a tangible story of the experiences across generations of women of Japanese ancestry in Colorado and neighboring states. The quilts reflect the strength and diversity of Japanese women through their life’s journeys as they raised their families. The choice of quilts as the medium of expression, was to recognize that women have sewn throughout the ages, creating clothing and objects of daily usage for their families, and also used sewing and stitchery as a means of creative expression. The quilt panels were designed to resemble Japanese scrolls traditionally displayed in a place of honor and represent the roots of the women.

The quilt blocks represent the history of families, with symbolic representations of family members connected to each family’s story. The exhibit will include a self-guided audio tour of narration of the women’s stories behind the creation for some of the blocks. Japanese prints paired with American material prints using sashiko quilting, applique, embroidery, machine/hand quilting, and simple pieced quilting, create these simple yet extraordinary quilts.

An example of the stories told include a simple block made up of 4 triangles coming together at the center of the block. Each triangle’s fabric choice or stitching applied to it represents an aspect of the life of the maker or their ancestors – from a gift to remember their heritage, to a family crest, to fabrics acknowledging their acclimation into American culture.

Written explanations of the stories being remembered by the blocks – focus on the stories of women who settled in America and created lasting family relationships through their hard work, perseverance and ability to recognize and pass on their appreciation for beauty and blessings in the midst of difficulties.

This exhibit has not been presented for 30 years and Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum is pleased to be able to provide the exhibit space and to bring this to the public again.



Current Exhibits
Main Gallery:
Stars over the Rockies! by Judy Martin
Northeast Gallery:
19th Century Blues: It is more than Indigo
January 20, 2025 - April 

Membership has Benefits
Members gain free entry to exhibits throughout the year, free admission to Sunday at the Museum, discounts on gift shop purchases, check out books from the Sandra Dallas Library, and more!

Sunday at the Museum
Feb 9, 2025- Carol Born helps us understand Quilt Studies and the 19th Century Blues study
Mar 9. 2025 - Bed Turning with  Jeananne Wright
April 13, 2025 - RMQM Blue & White Trunk Show                     

The mission of The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and educate the public about quilts;
honor quiltmaking traditions; and embrace the evolution of the art and craft of quilting.