Artists’ Alley Stitched into History by Cathy Wood Quilts with signatures were popular in the mid-1800s when people were spreading out across North America. A quilt given to an embarking family would be a keepsake reminder of friends who had remained behind. The Ailsa Craig Art Centre (ACAC) held an exhibit of antique signature quilts in January, 2023. The quilts featured em- broidered historic names from the area. ACAC is now creating a new signature quilt in honour of Ailsa Craig’s 2024 sesquicentennial. For a minimum $10 donation, local people may sign a piece of the quilt’s fabric. The signature will be embroidered over and the fabric piece incorporated into the quilt. The quilt design is a variation of the ‘rail fence’ pattern, to represent the community’s agricultural roots and its history as a Grand Trunk Railroad stop.
“The blue and green represent the fields and sky of the rural environment and the gray is a reminder of the rock of Ailsa Craig, Scotland,” explained Wilma Kirmse of the ACAC. “Our hope is to capture our moment in time for future generations to enjoy finding their own ancestors represented on the quilt.” People can sign a quilt block at the ACAC with a $10 minimum donation any day that they are open, up until April 9, 2025. Businesses can have their business name embroidered in the border for a $50 donation. Proceeds support the ACAC. Community groups such as the Optimists or Lions can email ailsacraigartscentre@gmail.com to arrange to take a quilt block to a meeting for signing.
Antique quilt exhibited at ACAC in 2023.
Part of a local antique quilt.
Visit our gift shop featuring handmade cards, and work from previous exhibitors and local artisans. UPCOMING CLASSES: Learn to Crochet, Weaving with Dried Flowers and Herbs, My First Quilt, Punch Needle Rug Hooking, Create Shearling Leather Slippers and more to come! EXHIBITS: January 4 – February 13 “Earth, Air, Fire, Water” featuring artist Kim Kaitell. MONTHLY GROUPS: Writing Group, Book Club, Water Colour Group (Monday mornings), Card Making (back to 2nd Tuesday of the month), Sewing Social (3rd Tuesday). Check the calendar on our website!
Come and check us out!
Kim Kaitell
For a full schedule of classes go to ailsacraigartscentre. wildapricot.org
160D Main Street, Ailsa Craig. Open 1 – 4 pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
To advertise here, please contact Tami@villagerpublications.com
Ilderton and Area Villager January-February 2025 • Page 13
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs