Quilts=Art=Quilts 2025

Quilts=Art=Quilts is an international juried quilt exhibition at the Schweinfurth Art Center in Auburn, New York. The Art Center has been a longstanding proponent of quilts as a visual arts medium and has been presenting quilts in a gallery setting since 1981.  

This year, nearly 300 applications were submitted, and jurors Petra Fallaux and Paula Kovarik selected 69 quilts from 64 fiber artists. Judging is based on overall quality of design, visual impact and originality.  Prizes are awarded, including $1,000 for Best of Show, during the opening reception.

Opening weekend events

OPENING RECEPTION: 4 to 6 pm Saturday, Oct. 25, free and open to the public
QUILTER’S DINNER: 6:45 pm Saturday, Oct. 25, at Springside Inn, Auburn; call 315.255.1553 to make a reservation
DIRECTOR’S TOUR: 1 pm Sunday, Oct. 26; participating artists are invited to speak about their work

Trunk Shows

The Art Center schedules four QAQ Trunk Shows, where quilt artists display their pieces and talk about their inspirations and processes. All trunk shows are held at 2 pm on Sundays and are free with admission. Here is this year’s schedule; check back for names of presenters:

Nov. 9: Julia Graziano
Nov. 23: Joyce Martelli
Nov. 30: Gloria Kilpatrick
Dec. 7: Carol Boyer

Studio Schweinfurth workshops

Felting a Floral Arrangement with Mallory Zondag
9 am to 4 pm Oct. 25-26, 2025
COST: $320 for members, $330 for nonmembers

Encaustics: Collage & Mixed Media with Sally Hootnick
Noon to 4 pm Oct. 25-26, 2025
COST: $240 for members, $250 for nonmembers

Pastel Painting Studio: Focus on Still Life with Mary Padgett
10am to 5pm Nov. 8, 2025
COST: $170 for members, $180 for nonmembers

Fall Fiber Retreat 2025
9am to 4pm Nov. 14-16, 2025
COST: $140 for members, $150 for nonmembers

Additional events

Nov. 7: First Friday with tours of exhibitions and light refreshments, free and open to the public
Dec. 5: First Friday with tours of exhibitions and light refreshments, free and open to the public

Meet the jurors

Dutch native Petra Fallaux is an artist, writer, teacher, and curator based in Pittsburgh. As an artist, her approach embodies her credo of “color, shape, and simplicity.” Her artwork has been described as “complex, but not complicated.” Contemporary painting, graphic design, and architecture are major influences. Her recent series of printed textiles has been widely exhibited: whole cloth monoprints, screen and paper lamination prints are layered with additional dyes to evoke the color depth of both the coastal and polder landscapes of her home country, the Netherlands. Her recent essay writing focuses on individual textile artists for catalogues and other publications. Since 2003 Petra co-directs an award-winning architectural firm, Springboard Design, whose work includes museum, exhibition, and public interest design.

For more information about Petra and her work, visit her website: petrafallaux.com.

Paula Kovarik is a full-time artist and fiber art teacher based in Memphis, TN. She holds a degree in design and art history from Southern Illinois University and spent over 30 years as a professional designer before transitioning to a full-time art practice. Kovarik creates intricate, story-rich fiber artworks that fuse intuitive stitching with conceptual depth. Her award-winning work has been recognized by Quilt National, Quilts=Art=Quilts, World of Threads, and FiberArt Now—Excellence in Fibers. She has been profiled in Smithsonian American Craft and FiberArt Now magazines. Kovarik’s quilts are featured in major publications, including Art Quilts Unfolding – 50 Years of Innovation and Art Quilts International: Abstract & Geometric. Her work is part of several permanent collections, including the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, NE, the Memphis International Airport, and various private collections

Participating artists

Mary Alexander
Daisy Aschehoug
Elizabeth Bennett
Pamela Bice
Donna Blalock
Deborah Boschert
Carol Boyer
Anna Brown
Mindy Brown
Betty Busby
Jennifer Candon
Katie Chester
Janice Chiaffredo
Sue LaWall Cortese
Jean Downing
Julie Sevilla Drake
Dianne Firth
Jennifer Fons
Kathy Ford
Helen Geglio
Julia Graziano
Debbie Grifka
Meredith Grimsley
Laura Hartrich
Sharon Havelka
Mark Hawk
Judy Hooworth
Annie Hudnut
Chriss Johns
Heather Kinion
Judy Kirpich
Lauren Klementz-Harte
Karol Kusmaul
Judy langille
Eunhee Lee
Niraja Lorenz
Fuzzy Mall
Judy Martin
Brent McGee
Ellen Meeker
Susie Monday
Kathy Nida
Lela O’Dell
Tasha Owen
Laurie Paquin
Heidi Parkes
Pat Pauly
Sarah Pavlik
Jennifer Raish
Sheree Rasmussen
Wen Redmond
Julie Reuben
Kaitlin Rim
Irene Roderick
Carlee Schmidt
Karen Schulz
Roxanne Schwartz
Sandy Shelenberger
Mary Ann Tipple
Emilie Trahan
Lenny van Eijk
Debra Weiss
Shari Werner
Betsy Whittemore