Susan Lenz, a Columbia, S.C., fiber artist speaking Saturday at the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, describes how she transfers etchings from tombstones onto recycled fabrics.IF YOU GOWhat: 30th anniversary National Heritage Quilt ShowWhen: Through Sept. 29Where: McMinn County Living History MuseumHours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-FridayCost: $5 adults, $3 seniors and studentsContact: 423-745-09329 or www.livingheritagemuseum.com
ATHENS, Tenn. – After establishing one of Southeast Tennessee’s first community history museums here 30 years ago, the founders sought a signature event to attract visitors and patrons.
The answer seemed to be a quilt show.
Quilts can be useful, artistic and heirlooms that stitch pieces of families’ and regions’ histories together, said Lisa Chastain, curator of collections and exhibits for the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum.
On Saturday, Susan Lenz, a fiber artist from Columbia, S.C., and Julie Jack, a Tennessee Wesleyan College art instructor, spoke about art, and especially fabric art, as the museum begins its 30th anniversary National Heritage Quilt Show.