Press Room --

Quilts Through the Eye of the Beholder

LOCKPORT—The free “Sunday Series” of lectures and events continues at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery.  On Sunday, August 28, 2011, ISM Lockport Gallery Curator Jennifer Jaskowiak will present “Eye of the Beholder.”  The lecture begins at 2:00 pm and will last approximately one hour.  Admission is free; reservations are not required, though seating is limited.  This free program is the final event in the series offered in conjunction with the current exhibition entitled Amish and “English”: Quilts from the Illinois State Museum Collection which features full-sized quilts dating from 1870 thru 1950 by thirteen different makers and runs through September 16, 2011.

Though not always recognized as “fine art” by the tastemakers of the art world, quilts have their own art aesthetic.  Quilts—often carefully planned as a pattern, for composition and for color balance—exhibit many of the formal qualities of fine art.  In addition, quilts often reflect popular styles and movements of art through art history.  In her presentation, Jaskowiak will explore this relationship between quilts, the elements of art, and moments in art history through examples in the extensive Illinois State Museum quilt collection, including those currently on display.

Because in many aspects of their lives the Amish have sought separation from the “English” world—all people outside the Amish community—it is tempting to assume that their quilts were also made in isolation from larger American trends.  This comparative exhibition of Amish and “English” quilts dispels this notion.  In fact, in Illinois both Amish and “English” quilters often used the same fabrics, techniques, colors, formats, and patterns with only a few exceptions.  This richly textured exhibition offering side-by-side comparison of quilts and quiltmakers provides insight into the qualities that make Amish quilting similar and different from “English,” or non-Amish.   

The Illinois State Museum fine and decorative arts collections are housed in Springfield and number in the thousands.  The collection includes over 400 quilts, reflecting not only the trends in quiltmaking over 175 years but the artistry and craftsmanship of Illinois quiltmakers. Over 90 percent of the quilts in the Museum’s collection were created by Illinois quiltmakers, including 164 quilts by Illinois Amish, a community in east central Illinois, near Arthur

The Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery is located on the first floor of the historic Norton Building at 201 West 10^th Street in Lockport, Illinois, and is fully accessible to all physically challenged individuals.  Museum hours are noon until 5:00 pm on Sunday and 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  The Museum is closed Saturdays and State Holidays.  Admission is free.  For information on exhibitions and related programs, becoming a member of the Friends of the Lockport Gallery, directions to the museum, or to schedule a group tour of ten or more, please contact museum staff at (815) 838-7400 or visit the museum online at https://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/lockport/.  The Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery is part of the Illinois State Museum system, including sites in Springfield, Rend Lake, Chicago, and Lewistown.