Quilt sharing features evaluations, appraisals

Quilters, quilt lovers, and the curious public are all invited to the Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 4, to join in a Quilt Sharing event organized in conjunction with Sonoma Valley Museum of Art’s current exhibition, “Unconventional and Unexpected: American Quilts Below the Radar, 1950-2000.”

At the quilt sharing, participants are encouraged to bring quilts, tops, blocks, or fabrics dating from 1900 to 2000 to share with the whole group.

American quilt experts Julie Silber, Joe Cunningham and Roderick Kirakofe will all be on hand to “talk out” information as they evaluate the quilts – discussing the patterns, age, fabrics, historical context, and general significance of each piece. Silber will examine items dating from 1900-1949 and Cunningham will evaluate those dating to the latter part of the 20th century.

Nancy Bavor, an American Quilter’s Society certified quilt appraiser, will also be at the quilt sharing to appraise your quilts. A complete written appraisal is $50 a quilt and appointments are scheduled in 30-minute increments on the day of the event.

The event takes place on at the Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club, 574 First St. E., around the corner from the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. Admission to the quilt sharing is $12 for the public and $10 for SVMA members, and includes admission to the museum to see the “Unconventional and Unexpected” quilt exhibition.

The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is located at 551 Broadway, Sonoma. For more information, see svma.org.