Special Exhibits
The Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza
& Mancuso Show Management Are Proud to Present:
Abstract - Quilts on the Wall
"Abstract art invites the viewer to engage with their own imagination, to find personal meaning in the work. The function of abstraction is to get rid of a lot of reality. You start with as much richness as you want and subtract." - Robert Mot
Quilts on the Wall is a group of textile artists dedicated to learning about and sharing art quilts. Their projects are displayed on a wall rather than on a bed. The group has at least two Challenges a year. Juried and non-juried exhibits travel to venues such as quilt and textile art shows, and are displayed in art galleries. Quilts pictured: Sideways by Bunnie Mauldin, Under the Microscope by Kathy Hartmann, Subtle Fragments by Jerilee Petralba, Postpartum Depression by Karen Diane Morgan Guthrie, Frolicking in the Bay by Ardis Bucy, and Yellowstone Hot Springs by Anne Sonner.
Amethyst - Hoffman Challenge 2025 - 2026
Presenting the 36th Annual Hoffman Challenge featuring Hoffman Fabric's “Amethyst” batik collection. Hoffman Challenge participants were required to use a minimum of 5 out of 15 of the batik challenge fabrics in the body of the quilt top or garment in recognizable, but not necessarily equal amounts. The outcome is a stunning display of quilts and textile art!
Art Quilters Celebrate Independence, a juried exhibition from Studio Art Quilt Associates of Pennsylvania
Our juried, touring exhibition features artwork by Studio Art Quilt Associates of Pennsylvania (SAQA-PA) in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Thirty-nine innovative art quilts and quilted artworks explore the broad meaning of independence and freedom of expression. All artworks connect with America's storied past, yet exemplify exciting conceptual and technical departures from tradition that herald the art quilt as a fine art medium. Quilt image is "Liberty" by Gay Bitter.
Celebration of Women: A Quilter's Perspective – A Special Exhibition Challenge Sponsored by Mancuso Show Management
Whether it’s dynamic heroines in history, inspiring quilters and mentors, or closer to home in your family tree, this challenge asked its entrants to create a quilt that honors the woman or women who have made a great impact on their life.
Divergence - Art Quilt Network (AQN)
Divergence explores contrast, difference, and the freedom to move in new directions. In these works, members of the Art Quilt Network (AQN) reflect on the many ways perspectives shift, ideas split, and individuality finds expression. Founded in 1986, AQN is one of the nation’s longest-standing groups dedicated to the art quilt, fostering community among fiber artists through retreats, exhibitions, and shared learning. This exhibition celebrates the innovation and creative spirit that defines both contemporary quiltmaking and the dynamic voices within AQN. Pictured: Softly in Motion by Palmer Frauke, Raging Rhino by Laurel Izard, & Wayfinder by Helen Greglio
History Cannot Be Erased - Quilts by Allyson Allen
Honoring Women Veterans - Homemakers Quilt Guild
Legends of the Bible - Family Portraits Quilts by Marilyn Belford
Marilyn Belford is well known for her realistic fabric portraits and art quilts. She comes to the quilting community after a career in the art world. Her works have been shown at the American Quilters Society show in Paducah , Quilters’ Heritage Celebration in Lancaster, the International Quilt Association International Show in Houston, Texas, the Schweinfurth Museum in Auburn, N.Y., and other museums and shows nationally, winning many awards. Her quilts were on display at the Morris Museum in their 2015 NJ Craft Arts Annual. Most recently, her quilt "The Wrath of Poseidon"was chosen for permanent display at the National Quilt Museum in Peducah, Kentucky.
Marilyn has been teaching at Quilt University since 2003. She has written an article on her method for Chitra Publication’s magazine Quilting Today, has been featured in ARTSmagazine, and has been favorably reviewed in newspapers in New York. Pictured: Self Portrait
Minimalism - SAQA Global Exhibition
Order. Simplicity. Harmony. Minimalism is line, shape, form, and color combined to simply highlight the very essence of the medium and materials used to create art. Erasing the distinctions between mediums to call attention to the artwork itself, without expectation of emotion or deep meaning. In the words of Frank Stella, “What you see is what you see.” A pure form of beauty. Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt: "a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure." Our vision is that the art quilt is universally respected as a fine art medium. SAQA’s core values are: excellence, innovation, integrity, and inclusion. Over the past 35 years, SAQA has grown into a dynamic and active community of over 4,000 artists, curators, collectors, and art professionals located around the world.
Minimalism Photo Credit: 1) Michele Hardy - Circles #34, 2) Polly Bech – Convergence, 3) Kathy York – Conversation, 4) Hope Wilmarth - Edge of Space
My Belief - Stretching Art and Tradition 26
In difficult times, we often reach for family, friends, and/or faith. From 2004-2009, National Public Radio aired a series of essays written on the theme “This I Believe”. Ordinary and extraordinary people from all walks of life wrote in to share an essay on their beliefs. This project was a powerful exploration of creating connection and sharing through the medium of writing.
In the spirit of creating connection and sharing, Susan and I invited artists to create a piece inspired by the “This I Believe” project. “This I Believe” invited people to write about the core beliefs that guided their daily lives. We invited you to create a work of fiber art 24” wide by 36” tall that expounds on your guiding belief(s). We encouraged you to choose a few essays to listen to on the website to explore the diversity of beliefs shared as you searched for inspiration for your project. And of course, we encouraged you to stretch yourselves by trying something new. For more information on the “This I Believe” project, see https://thisibelieve.org/. Pictured: All of These by Bobbe Shapiro Nolan.
Member Showcase - Piecemakers Quilt Guild
PieceMakers Quilt Guild meets in Harrisburg, PA, and consists of approximately 100 members who come from multiple counties in our area - Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Cumberland, Adams, and York to name just a few. Our guild is a friendly. diverse group with skills ranging from beginner to experienced. Our interests include traditional,
applique, English paper piecing, art, and modern quilts, which are completed by hand or machine.
For this exhibit, members were asked to present a quilt that they created, that they are most proud of, and that holds sentimental value to them or their family. This exhibit reflects not only the skill of our members but the creativity of our group. We hope you enjoy seeing our work and are inspired to create more quilts!
You can visit our website at www.piecemakersquiltguild.org for information about our group. Left image is "Imaginary Day by Pat Sprecher. Right image is "Winter Wonderland" by Deb Endres.
Quilters' Choice - Quilters of the Round Table
Members were invited to exhibit quilts that reflect their individual interests and styles. This year the QRT exhibit features a few quilts made by long-time member Cie Tillery.
Quilts of Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guild
The Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guild (Philly MQG) is a chapter of The Modern Quilt Guild. Members meet to share their love of modern quilting and activities focus on modern quilting aesthetics and techniques. According to The Modern Quilt Guild: “Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways. ‘Modern traditionalism’ or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.” Contact us at phillymodernquiltguild@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guild or Instagram at PhillyMQG for more information.
Secret Garden - AQuA
The Art Quilt Association members explore what creates their perfect secret garden. Is it the hidden entrance? A secret urban oasis or one that requires a hike to a favorite wild meadow? Is it the special peace of a reflecting pool or trickle of water that soothes us and the birds, wildlife, faeries, and ogres alike who sneak in? is it nature’s unexpected display secluded from the chatter of the outside world? Or is it the promise of summer beauty in the depths f winter? Or perhaps just the joy of digging into the soil that supports these flower and plant strewn places? So many secrets for AQuA to share.
Split Image Project / Threads of the Heart Project - Talk Ten Travels
Split Image Project: In April 2025, an independent volunteer selected a digital photograph by California photographer Lee Decker from the Escondido Arts Partnership Photo Arts Group website (with Mr. Decker’s consent). The photograph was digitally split into two halves: six members received the left half and six the right. Each artist was asked to create an 18" x 18" textile imagining the unseen portion of their half. The artists sent an image of their respective art textile to the volunteer, who compiled the images into a PowerPoint presentation “reveal” for our September 2025 TalkTen Zoom meeting. In the presentation, the art textiles were showcased, both as individual works, as well as diptychs that the volunteer created using his best judgment in pairing the left and right interpretations that were most complementary. After later reviewing the recording of the Zoom meeting and the PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Decker writes, "The fabric pieces that the artists created were quite amazing and I was impressed with their creative interpretations of the photograph. … I so enjoyed your presentation and the discussions that followed; they were endlessly fascinating. I want to thank the artists for their careful consideration of my work.” Pictured: Split Image by Susan Peterson and Fractured by Susan Lazear
Threads of the Heart Project: As a companion project this year, members created 18” x18” art textiles inspired by the heart motif of the artist Jim Dine. Beyond the size requirement, there were no restrictions, resulting in a series of works that reflect strikingly different interpretations of this universal symbol. Heart by Marty Ornish
What Remains - 20 Perspectives
What remains after the meal has been eaten, the clothes wear out, the leaves have fallen or the snow has melted? What remains the day after the storm, the terrorist attack, or the fire? What do broken tiles, desolate landscapes, a skeletal cactus and burnt trees tell us about what life was like before? In this exhibition we explore the fragments that are left behind as time moves on. All that remains are memories, some treasured, some sad, of what has been. Pictured: Aftermath by Phyllis Cullen
While On Vacation - Quilts by Mary Anne Fontana
Pictured above: Windmills, Capuchin Monkey Standing on Leaf, The Boatmaker ll, The Alcazaba Quilt
While on Vacation blends my love of taking photographs while traveling with my love of making quilts when at home. Come explore my favorite snapshots transformed into quilts. All original images. Computer manipulated. Commercially printed on wholecloth cotton. Enhanced with thread, paint & markers.
Wall quilts were created from the larger, pictorial quilts. Each was free motion quilted with thousands of yards of thread. The smaller images of birds & animals were machine quilted then cut away from the background scenery, mounted & stitched on a second quilted background, then stretched on canvas creating a “frameable” piece of art.
Wild Things - TAVA (Textile Artists of Virginia)
Extravagant, impressive, and awe-inspiring, amazing colors and textures, breaking free of constraints! In general, it is something that is fun and causes excitement. Persons, places, animals, plants, things, behaviors, etc., can all be defined as "wild." In each of us lies a dormant force waiting to be awakened.
The Textile Artist of Virginia implemented texture, patterns, and a lot of imagination to show that bounds are only limited by the reach of our minds.
Pictured: It's the Eyes by Carol Monti