Hawaiian Quilts Featured in Avenir Museum Exhibit through Early August

Colorado State University’s Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising will feature “Hawaiian Quilts: God in Expression” from Feb. 17 through Aug. 2. The exhibition, which will feature Hawaiian quilts from the Henry and Angela Hite Collection, opens with a reception from 5:30-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17.

Guest curator Elizabeth Akana will offer a pre-opening lecture about the history of Hawaiian quilts. She will also discuss and showcase quilts from her private collection not featured in the exhibition. The lecture is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the University Center for the Arts Annex, Room 136, 216 E. Lake St. The lecture is free and open to the public. No reservations are needed.

Originally brought to the islands by New England missionaries, Hawaiian appliqué quilts are unique for their “snowflake” designs. Imbued with the myths and traditions of the native Hawaiian population and references to the plant life and mythology of the islands, Hawaiian quilts are among the most visually striking of all quilt designs.

Akana is one of Hawaii’s premier quilt historians as well as a quilter, teacher and lecturer. She has been demonstrating the art of Hawaiian quilting since 1972 and has taught and lectured throughout the United States, New Zealand and Japan. As a guiding force behind the Hawaiian Quilt Research Project, which documented hundreds of historic quilts throughout the islands, she has advocated for the preservation of this cultural art form. Her quilts are included in many private and corporate collections and have been accepted in numerous juried and invitational exhibitions.

The exhibit will be in the Avenir Museum, Room 115 in the University Center for the Arts. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Museum hours are 11 am.-6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays. The museum is closed on weekends and national and university holidays.

Related Exhibition Activities:

5-9 p.m. Friday, April 13:
Meet guest curator Elizabeth Akana and trace copies of some of the most popular Hawaiian quilt patterns. Akana also is sharing her personal patterns. Attendees may select and trace three patterns from Akana’s collection. Alphanumeric dotted pattern paper will be supplied. Cost is $10 per person. Call (970) 491-6648 for reservations.

9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 14:
Join guest curator Elizabeth Akana for this hands-on sampler block workshop. Each participant will complete a sampler Maile and Ilima Lei block. Included are demonstrations, instruction and “talk story,” integrating the history, the people and the quilting process of this unique art form. An extensive notebook of instruction and patterns will be available for purchase. This workshop is limited to 20 participants. Cost of the workshop is $100 per person, plus an optional lunch.

For additional information, workshop flyer, registration form and supply list, call (970) 491-6648 or e-mail Megan.Osborne@colostate.edu

The Avenir Museum is part of the College of Applied Human Sciences and in the Department of Design and Merchandising.
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