Explore Contemporary Art Quilts at ‘Bloom’ in Columbus

Immerse yourself in the brilliant colors, textures and intricately woven fibers of art quilts at “Bloom,” a curated exhibition featuring artists from the Art Quilt Alliance. The woman-owned Columbus art gallery, Chaos Contemporary Craft, brings together 10 contemporary fiber media artists to present their work in a wide-ranging exhibition on view Nov. 21 through Dec. 27.

Art quilts are creative works that use fabrics, fibers and other mixed media which is hen layered or held together with stitching. The works take the traditional medium of quilting in a more creative direction, explains Margaret Wunderlich, Chaos Contemporary Craft owner and director. Art quilts are designed to be viewed rather than used functionally, she says.

A quilt titled “Reaching Out 8” by Donalee Kennedy in the “Bloom” exhibition (photo courtesy of Chaos Contemporary Craft).

Visitors will see up to 30 works using a wide range of textile approaches including hand dying, applique, traditional-style wall hanging, and intuitive and structured sculptures.

“And there’s so much tradition and history [in quilting], and also looking forward to the future, new possibilities,” says Wunderlich. “ … There’s so much conceptual and kind of intellectual promise that that you’ll see in this show.”

“Bloom” opens with a public reception with the artists on Nov. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. and will be on view at Chaos Contemporary Craft through Dec. 27.

The Art Quilt Alliance was organized in 1991 by a group of fiber artists in central Ohio to provides resources and opportunities for the textile arts community.

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