May 30-31, 2014
On Friday and Saturday, May 30-31, the Waimea Arts Council will present the quilts of Quilts Lei Hayama of Japan. This exhibit will be.at the Firehouse Gallery in Waimea from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
These quilts demonstrate the fine craft of Hawaiian style appliquéd quilting. Club President, quilt designer and teacher Shigemi Obata will be the featured quilter with many new quilts designed by herself and her students on display.
Shigemi teaches quilting in Hayama, Japan, which she learned from Doris Iwalani Feary Nosaka of Hilo. Doris introduced Shigemi to the Waimea Quilt Club many years ago. The Quilt Lei Hayama, a club in Japan, was founded by Obata and presently has between 15 and 20 students as on-going members. Ms.Obata’s classroom features many Hawaiian fabrics and books.
Ms. Obata travels to Hawaii almost four times a year photographing flowers that she then translates to designs for her original quilt patterns. She writes: “As I travel to the Big Island every year I see so much beauty everywhere. The nature of Hawaii fills my five senses and that influences and guides my hand to create these quilt patterns. This show is the 15th exhibition we have held at the WAC gallery in Waimea. Last year, my quilting sensei – Doris Iwanani Feary Nosaka passed away but it is via her style of quilting that I hope my work continues her quiet but sure spirit.
I want to give a great THANK YOU to my host family, my many friends, the Waimea Quilt Club members and members of the Waimea Arts Council for all the support they have so eagerly shown year after year.
I hope everyone seeing this year’s collection leaves with a greater understanding of Hawaiian quilting and how it has created yet another bridge between cultures. Please enjoy the show and tell your friends too.”
For more information visit www.quiltsleihayama.com.
