Teakettle Quilt Guild hosts spring show

By Marti Ebbert Kurth

Winter was made for quilters as they turn the long dark days into imaginative, colorful works of art in the form of quilts, huge wall hangings and miniature scenes of nature. Each April there is a showcase to celebrate this creative talent: the Teakettle Quilt Guild Spring Show. The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 at Glacier Gateway School in Columbia Falls.

There is no admission fee to enjoy this display of creativity and visitors can be assured that they will see a variety of stunning interpretations of what a quilt can be. One lucky winner will take home the raffle quilt that has been displayed all winter around the Flathead Valley as part of the guild’s fundraising that supports charitable groups such as local food banks and the Montana Veterans Home. Tickets may be purchased for $1 each or six for $5. There will also be a boutique with fiber arts ranging from potholders to quilts available for purchase.

Teakettle Guild members believe that quilts offer not only warmth but are also an expression of love. Over the years, the guild has donated hundreds of blankets to Project Linus, which distributes them to area hospitals, to fire victims, Hope Pregnancy Resource Center and to Sparrow’s Nest for homeless high school kids.

Each year the guild honors one of their outstanding members and this year’s featured artist is Mona Benson of Whitefish. She’s been quilting for almost 31 years, and in her college days used to sit on the lawn at school passing the time by quilting. With the inevitable passage of time she has been sewing memory quilts, incorporating fabrics from pieces of clothing of her family and friends who have passed on that she gives to their survivors.

She will have several of her works on display at the show and will available to speak about her process.

For more information about the Teakettle Quilt Guild, call Deb Bowers at 892-4910.