If you haven’t visited City Hall in a while, now is a great time to reacquaint yourself with the eclectic and ever-changing exhibits that are free to the public.
Running through Aug. 4, the Quilters Unlimited Group Exhibition is on display as part of the City’s Art in Public Places program. Carefully curated by the Council on Culture & Arts, the exhibit features over 30 quilts from 26 different fabric artists in the Big Bend Region.
I sat down with Janet Taylor, the former President of the Quilters Unlimited of Tallahassee Guild, to discuss the art they create and how she became involved. “Often, there are themes for quilt shows. The upcoming exhibit at LeMoyne Gallery is ‘A Walk in the Woods,’ which is nature-themed.”
Freestyle quilting on display
The exhibition at City Hall is a triennial collaboration between COCA and the Quilters Guild. This year, the theme was open-ended, encouraging artists to explore their creativity freely. It’s “a freestyle exhibit,” said Taylor.
The result is an eclectic and vibrant exhibition featuring pieces that range from large to small, from patterned to abstract, and from colorful to muted. It’s genuinely a display that highlights the diversity and talent of our regional quilting community.
Although the guild was formed in 1981, Taylor considers herself a latecomer to the art of quilt making. “I was late to the party,” said Taylor. “I taught school for many years, and didn’t start quilting until after I retired.”
Taylor was a Spanish teacher at Leon High School for 15 years until her retirement in 2017. Before leaving, she was given a sewing machine as a token of appreciation. “I wanted to make quilts for all my family members,” said Taylor.
Sewing into service
Taking a class at Bernina Connection and joining this local quilter’s guild gave Taylor the knowledge, experience, and community she needed to begin her journey. “There are 132 members currently in the guild,” Taylor said. “We meet at Temple Israel on the second Thursday of each month. The membership fee is $30 a year.” The next meeting is at 6 p.m. July 10.
For those interested in joining, it is important to understand the variety of opportunities involved with participating.
“The guild is philanthropic,” Taylor said. “It is such a huge part of our commitment to the Tallahassee community. Our projects combine learning, historic preservation, and community service. For example, last night we honored five veterans with Quilts of Valor.”
In addition to the quilts they create for veterans, the guild is involved with a long list of organizations. They create tiny quilts for babies at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and pet beds for the Leon County Humane Society.
They make remembrance gifts for Big Bend Hospice and fidget quilts for seniors with dementia. “It’s very fulfilling when you gift a quilt to someone,” said Taylor. “Ultimately, they are meant to be used.”
“There is a rich history in America with quilting,” said Taylor. “Each culture has its own fabric gift.” The technique of sewing layers of fabric together with padding in between goes back thousands of years. The legacy of quilting spans from ancient civilizations, Medieval times, the Colonial era, through the Civil War.
The life cycles of quilting
The Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts recently hosted an exhibition titled “The Quilts of Mrs. Gussie Beatrice Arnold Hill. “The show featured the work of the Tallahassee native, born in Leon County in 1912.
The quilts told a story of resilience and strength in the local African American community during trying times. The collection was passed down through generations, not only providing comfort but also creating a spiritual connection to ancestors.
“The deeper we’ve gotten into technology, you still have to be warm,” said Taylor. “A gifted quilt made by someone’s hands is priceless.”
One lucky person will have the opportunity to take home a beautiful piece, titled Arabella, at the upcoming 2025 LeMoyne Gallery exhibit. The piece was quilted by Wendy Adams and bound by Taylor. There will be a drawing at the opening reception, and the winner will be announced at the end of the show. The exhibit will run from Aug. 21 to Sept. 20.
If you find yourself bitten by the quilting bug after visiting City Hall and LeMoyne Gallery, there are other opportunities to view more textile creations. Several hundred quilts will be on display during the upcoming Jacksonville Quiltfest, which runs from Sept. 18 to 20.
Taylor also recommends visiting the Levy County Quilt Museum in Chiefland, Florida. Located in a historic log cabin, it’s the only quilt museum in Florida.
“We make quilts for birth, life, and passing,” said Taylor. “They can cover all the various stages and meaningful experiences throughout life. It’s a beautiful way to tell the life cycle story.”
If you go
What: Quilters Unlimited Group Exhibition
When: Through Aug. 4
Where: City Hall Art Gallery, 300 S. Adams Street, Main Gallery: 2nd-floor mezzanine
Contact: tallahasseearts.org/online-galleries| 850-224-2500 x6 | info@tallahasseearts.org
Information: For more information about the Tallahassee Quilters Unlimited guild, visit quilttallahassee.com
Tracy Horenbein is a guest writer for The Council on Culture & Arts. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, COCA is the capital area’s umbrella agency for arts and culture (tallahasseearts.org)
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Fabric gifts unfold with help of Janet Taylor and Tallahassee Quilters Unlimited
Reporting by Tracy Horenbein / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
