Please note this list is subject to change as our team is still adding more exhbits to the show. Make sure to check back later for any additions and changes! If you would like to apply to Exhibit a Special Exhibit in 2026 or for future years fill out the Application.

1. Aqua Dreaming curated by Emma Allen
   Description: Aqua Dreaming is a collaborative art quilt exhibit by Emma Allen and Holly Panzera, two distinct yet kindred artists whose imagination and love of the sea shape every piece. Through layered textures, color, and light, their quilts evoke movement, memory, and the enduring magic of ocean-inspired worlds.
   Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Dinnertime & Graceful Trio by Emma Allen; Jamestown Beach Yoga & Sailing by Starlight by Holly Panzera
   
   
   
2. Literary Illusions by the 20 Perspectives
   Description: Literary Allusions is an exhibit by the international group of fiber artists, 20 Perspectives. The artists were prompted to take inspiration from literature, poems, or song lyrics and interpret the words or phrases through their own visual or cultural perspectives. Each piece transforms words into vivid expressions of color, form, and texture whether abstract or figurative. Viewers will find that some of the works illustrate the quote while others reflect universal or intensely personal thoughts and meanings. Techniques used include lettering, painting, dyeing and collaging utilizing commercial or hand-dyed fabric.
   Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: John Muir's Temple by Cindy Brendzel; Dark Night of the Soul by Mary Kay Fosnacht; The Red Wheelbarrow by Kathie Kerler; The Strength of Trees by Heather Bennett; Where Have All The Flowers Gone by Ildiko Polyak
   
   
   
3. Virginia NatureScapes: From the Mountains to the Sea by the Art Quilt Tribe
   Description: This is a collection of art quilts by a group of quilters from SE Virginia, featuring animals, plants, and scenes of settings in mountains, seasides, and valleys of Virginia.
   Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Garden of Hope by Ann Lee; Smith's Beach Sunset by Kitty McCarthy; Mrs. Turtle by Priscilla Stultz; Apollo and Poseidon by Sally Harcum Maxwell
   
   
   
4. Modern Victorian curated by Kris Vierra
   Description: The Victorian era was defined by elegance, romance, and an almost theatrical devotion to dress. A well-appointed woman might change outfits multiple times a day—each look carefully chosen for the occasion and completed with the proper accessories. Modesty was expected, yet style was essential. Fashion evolved quickly, and garments were designed to be refreshed and reimagined. Trim, ribbons, lace, and rich color transformed silhouettes, while a new silk or satin overskirt could revive last year’s underskirt with effortless sophistication.
   Inspired by this spirit of refinement and reinvention, these garments also embrace the imaginative world of Steampunk. Drawing from Jules Verne’s vision of Victorian futurism, they blend historical silhouettes with industrial accents—corsetry paired with gear motifs, layered skirts accented with metal findings, and romantic fabrics contrasted with structured details. The result is a fusion of past and possibility: Victorian grace reengineered with inventive flair.
   
   
5. Quilters Unlimited Members Exhibit curated by Quilters Unlimited
   Description: Discover the artistry and talent of Quilters Unlimited members in this vibrant showcase of creativity and craftsmanship. Featuring a diverse collection of quilts—from traditional to contemporary—this exhibit highlights the skill, passion, and unique voices of one of the region’s most active quilting communities. Each piece tells a story, reflecting both individual expression and a shared love of the art of quilting.
   Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Good Friday: Purple Robe and Crown of Thorns by Janet Marney; Alaska by Starlight by Jennifer Eccleston; Quilt Friends Row by Row by Carolyn Taylor; Aboriginal Birds Quilted Panel by Shannon Robinson
   
   
   
6. All Things Nature by Quilts on the Wall
   Description: “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Vincent Van Gogh  
   Nature is a source of inspiration, wisdom and healing.  Whether it is watching blue, rolling waves crash against the shore, enjoying the lush colors of a sunset, witnessing the renewal of a forest devastated by fire, or simply admiring the composition of a flower, there is something remarkable about being immersed in nature.
   
   
7. Something Old. Something New by Fabric Poets
   Description: Each piece incorporates something old, such as a time-honored technique or a vintage fabric, with something new--maybe a new approach or a new tool. We may have also folded in something gifted or borrowed, and something totally unexpected!
   Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Broderie Sol by Barbara M Linde; Quilt for the Ages by Constance Spotts; My Hands by Sandy Curran; Mother Nature's Pallet by Millie Johnson; Mi Familia by Jenny Ballou
   
   
   
8. 1x4 by Fiber & Stitch Art Collective
   Description: Enjoy a vibrant showcase of creative art quilts all featuring the unique theme of 1' x 4'. Each quilt tells its own story bursting with colors and textures that invite you to take a closer look. You’ll see amazing designs that blend tradition with modern flair making each piece truly special. Whether you’re a quilt lover or just curious there’s something here for everyone. Don’t miss this chance to appreciate the skill and imagination behind these beautiful creations!
   Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: A Slice of Life by Ellen MacAvoy; A Modern Classic by Estelle Porter
   
   
   
9. The Life of a Sew Girl by Central Virginia Modern Quilt Guild
   Description: The Life of a Sewgirl is a modern quilt challenge created by the Central Virginia Modern Quilt Guild, inspired by the cultural buzz around Taylor Swifts recently released album, The Life of a Showgirl. Using a vibrant two-color palette of mint green and exuberant orange as a starting point, quilters explored contrast, composition, and improvisational design. Each quilt reflects the maker’s interpretation of a creative “era,” capturing personal expression through fabric and stitch. The exhibition celebrates the playful intersection of contemporary culture and modern quilting while highlighting how a shared constraint can inspire bold and diverse artistic responses.
   Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Wood by Megan Martin; Sew Girls Make Circles by Maureen Anderson; Opalite by Melissa Samaan; We Are All Sailing on the Ship of Taylor by Sarah C Butz
   
   
   
10. Improvised Quilt Journeys by Central Virginia Modern Quilt Guild
    Description: Improvisation for quilters means being flexible and asking questions as you play with fabric. This exhibit shows the best of our guild’s improvisational results. There’s no pattern that we are following. We may set limits or “rules” for ourselves, but we’re always exploring and making intuitive choices. We invite the viewer to approach our work with an open mind and ask questions.
    Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Petroglyphs by Mary Barnett; Barely Contained Rage by Donna Blalock; Pods Improv by Diane Woodruff; Prismatic Reverie by Caitlin McBride
    
    
    
11. Virginia Dreams: Quilted Emotions and Poems by Kathleen Decker
    Description: This is a series of art quilts with accompanying poems. This body of work represents the integration of fiber art and poetry. Each type of craft represents a method of self-expression.
    Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Amazing Endangered Ocean; Diamonds Exploding with Joy; Kimono Birds; North Star Kayaking
    
    
12. Colonial Virginia 1607-1799 by Colonial Piecemakers Quilt Guild
    Description: This exhibit explores the history of early America through the art of quilting. Each piece reflects stories, themes, and influences from the colonial era (1607-1799). Together, the quilts offer a visual interpretation of the past and the foundations of the nation. The collection is presented in celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary.
    
    
13. The Evolution of a Quilt Artist: From Foundation to Design by Naomi Snapp
    Description: What transforms a maker into an artist?
    The Evolution of a Quilt Artist traces a twenty-year progression from foundational learning and technical mastery to the emergence of a distinct, original voice. Presented chronologically, this curated collection allows viewers to witness the pivotal moments where structure becomes fluency—and where a disciplined craftsperson begins to follow the lead of an internal muse.
    The narrative begins with the emotional roots of the craft: a collaborative quilt created with the artist’s mother two decades ago. This piece establishes the "why" behind the work, serving as a tactile touchstone for the disciplined journey that followed. Seeking to honor this legacy through mastery, the artist moved into a period of rigorous technical refinement. Through complex pattern studies and professional certification in foundation paper piecing, she mastered the architectural logic of the medium, transitioning from simply following a line to shaping it with intentionality.
    As technical precision solidified, the work shifted from external instruction to internal exploration. This artistic pivot is documented through independent color studies and wearable quilted garments that challenged the boundaries of the traditional block. A centerpiece of this evolution is a monumental study in value featuring 4,096 unique fabrics. Created after her first year of living in Virginia following a cross-country move from Oregon with three children, this work served as a "love letter" to her new home. It represents a feat of persistence and a turning point where the artist began to use her technical skill to narrate her own lived experience.
    The exhibit culminates in the artist’s debut original pattern, Patchwork Prism. This finale represents the synthesis of two decades of practice—the moment where technical mastery and personal intuition converge into a singular, authored design. Spanning traditional heirlooms, large-scale precision piecing, and functional art, the collection is unified by meticulous construction and an intentional exploration of identity. The Evolution of a Quilt Artist offers a rare, transparent look at the full arc of development, revealing not only the finished quilts, but the steady, courageous growth of the artist behind them..
    Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Rock and Glow; Butterfly Quilt; Charmed by Love; Patchwork Prism
    
    
14. My Favorite Adventure quilts by Winchester Modern Quilters
    Description: Design a quilt in the theme of travel. Your travel can show a place that you have been or would like to go to - real or imagined. A bucket list destination or a favorite memory of somewhere you have been. No restrictions on use of color, embellishments or techniques.
    Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Monet's Garden by Monica King; A Map of Paris by Anne Aubry; Road Trip! by Sue Kadel; Reflections by Stacy Hetzel
    
    
    
15. Selections from Quiltcon 2026 curated by The Modern Quilt Guild
    Description: The Selections from QuiltCon 2026 exhibit celebrates the wide range of styles, techniques, and aesthetics in modern quilting today. From handwork with vintage notes to striking two-color pieces, this exhibit offers just a taste of the excellence on display in Raleigh in February.
    Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Zanfirico by Susan Braveman; Drunkard's Orange Peel by Emily Kidney; The Sun The Moon And The Stars by Carol Hill
    
    
    
16. BOUNDARIES quilts by Art Quilters on Edge (AQE)
    Description: What are boundaries to you?
    Do they limit your sphere of activity or experience? Do they restrict your freedoms or liberties?
    Or do you set boundaries to respect yourself – protecting your energy, your peace, and your dignity?
    Boundaries can make us feel safe. Or they can challenge us to question and breach untenable boundaries set by others.
    Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Stuck Inside by Joan Watkins; Boundaries are Protection & Diets are Boundaries - Eat No Evil? by Neani Mee; My Boundary Lines Have Fallen in Pleasant Places (frm Psalm 16) by Joan Watkins
    
    
    
17. Camouflage curated by SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates)
    Description: This exhibition celebrates the wonder of wildlife and the artistry of concealment. Discover how talented artists bring the fascinating survival strategies of animals to life. Through vibrant patterns, textures, and colors, each piece reveals a story of adaptation, survival, and self-expression. For More Information Click Here.
    
    
18. Primal Forces: Fire curated by SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates)
    Description: This exhibition explores fire not just as a destructive force, but as a symbol of renewal, power, and transformation. Many pieces address themes of climate change, deforestation, and the renewal that comes after devastation, adding a thoughtful and timely narrative to the visual feast.
    Experience the heat of creativity as talented artists use vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and innovative techniques to capture the essence of fire. Whether you're drawn to its energy, its danger, or its ability to spark new beginnings, this exhibition will ignite your senses and leave you inspired. For More Information Click Here.
    
    
19. Primal Forces: Wind curated by SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates)
    Description: Wind is the movement of air; you cannot see it or hold it in your hand, but it provides a powerful source of energy essential to our planet. From a light breeze to natural hazards like hurricanes or tornadoes, wind transforms life daily. For More Information Click Here.
    
    
20. Inspired by Modern Day Heroes curated by Donna DeSoto
    Description: In 2025, more than a hundred quilters from Gig Harbor, Washington to Washington, D.C. to Singapore joined together to create 6 special quilts. These quilts were made and delivered to Modern Day Heroes: Bishop Mariann Budde, President Zelenskyy, Heather Cox Richardson, Rachel Maddow, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Bruce Springsteen; their courage has inspired us to do good, to follow the light, and to have hope, particularly during a most difficult and challenging time. This exhibit consists of duplicates of each of the quilts that were gifted to these Modern Day Heroes. Following exhibition, they will each be auctioned and the proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen.
    More information on this project can be found here.
    
    
    
21. Red, White, & Blue Quilts curated by the International Quilt Museum
    Description: On loan from the International Quilt Museum’s Education Collection, this exhibit highlights the enduring appeal of red, white, and blue in quiltmaking. Featuring a range of styles and techniques, the quilts reflect both tradition and creativity across generations.
    Exhibit Pieces Shown Below: Feathered Star by Maker Unknown, circa 1880; Jester's Plume Variation by Helen Ericson, dated 1976; One Patch by Gladys D. Sanders, dated 1984; Square in a Square Variation by Maker Unknown, circa 1880-1920