Out of the Blue

August 1 to Sept 12, 2026
Artist Reception: Saturday, Aug 15, 2:00 to 4:00 PM

We challenged quilters to show us their best blue quilts. They shared the results from their inspirations: the forest, the sky, the ocean, flora and fauna, all stitched together using organic and geometric shapes.

ABOUT THE JURORS
Guest Curator, Mary Walter:
For over 35 years, quilter Mary Walter has been recognized for her original quilting style, often incorporating a mix of traditional, ethnic, and contemporary quilting techniques into her quilts. Mary is also a freelance curator presenting exhibits for a variety of cultural organizations nationwide. You may also find Mary teaching in her studio designing patterns and fabric, meeting, and teaching on Zoom, traveling to exhibits, lecturing, and judging quilts. She is a member of Quilters Connection, The Cambridge Modern Quilt Guild, SAQA-Studio Art Quilts Association, and NACQJ - National Association of Certified Quilt Judges.

Guest Juror: Valerie Maser-Flanagan uses self-created hand-dyed fabric to design abstract sewn constructions. Her work is influenced by both the rural setting she currently resides in, her exposure to urban structures from working in Boston for thirty years, and her attraction to ethnic design. Maser-Flanagan has exhibited throughout the United States and received numerous awards for her work. Her Work has been purchased by the Chandler Arts Council in Arizona, Visions Art Museum, and by private collectors. Examples of her designs are published in Quilting with a Modern Slant by Rachel May, Dyeing Alchemy by Diane Franklin, and Art Quilts International Abstract and Geometric by Martha Sielman. Maser-Flanagan began as a traditional quilter but transitioned to contemporary design through studies with Nancy Crow, David Hornung and Carol Soderlund.

ARTISTS
This exhibit includes work by: Betsy Abbott, North Andover, MA; Audrey Augun, Hollis, NH; Anne Boedecker, Concord, NH; Nancy Crasco, Brighton, MA; Tamar Drucker, Ossining, NY; Ann Feitelson, Montague, MA; Ellen Fisher, Hollis, NH; Phyllis Follett, South Hamilton, MA; Terry Greenstein, Sharon, MA; Cindy Warren Lewis, West Newton, MA; Kristine Lundblad, Framingham, MA; Nita Penfold, St. Louis, MO; Wen Redmond, Strafford, NH; Cheryl Rezendes, Bernardston, MA; Robin DeMuth Schofield, Simsbury, CT; Ann Scott, S. Deerfield, MA; Stephanie Shore, Lexington, MA; Phyllis Small, West Hartford, CT; Linda Stern, Somers, NY; Leslie Vieth, Westford, MA; and Sherry Winkelman, Winchester, MA.

Image: The Slumber of Whales, quilt by Audrey Augun

We are located in the building behind the Visitor Center on Market Street.
PARKING -- HCID Parking Garage. GPS: HCID Parking Garage, Lowell, MA 01852 (After parking, head for the flagpole near the opening in the large mill building)

Address: 256 Market Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Phone:(978) 459-7819

HOURS:
April 1 to December 31:
(Tues - Sat) 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
(Sun) 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm

January 1 to March 31:
(Wed - Sat) 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
(Sun) 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm