Jim Fagan
The quilters at Wallace House in Noosaville are a friendly, happy lot.
They meet each Tuesday for a bit of bargello or applique stitching and laugh, swap stories as they fashion quilts and other textiles which are works of art.
For some reason, though, they’ve only revealed their skills to Noosa art lovers—other than displays with the Noosa Arts and Craft Association–twice in the last 40 years.
The first time was four years ago at the Regional Art Gallery in Tewantin and this month they are adorning the walls at Bendigo Bank, also at Tewantin.
“It just hasn’t dawned on us to do it–to actually knock on someone’s door and ask if we can show our work,” group leader, Maz Mantel, told Noosa Today.
“Generally, we work for ourselves, or make quilts for charities, raffles and other community projects.
“We made a wall hanging for Carramar Aged Care in 1994 for its 10th birthday and one of our quilts– made for the Royal Flying Doctors–won first prize at the Brisbane Exhibition.”
In 1984 the quilters were known as Noosa Patchwork. They met in each other’s homes until 1993 when Noosa Council helped establish Noosa Arts and Crafts Association at Wallace House.
They joined and became known as Wallace House Quilters where their art proudly hangs on the walls.
Maz said there were 17 quilts on display at the bank, all with differing styles from dragons to self-portraits. None of the quilts are for sale.
“Some quilts tell stories, Others have the most intricate patterns with fabrics that blend but still attract attention.”
The quilters’ artwork at Bendigo Bank, Tewantin, is on display now until Thursday, April 4. For more information , visit noosaartsandcrafts.org.au
