Excitement is running high as Mariposa prepares to host its first ever outdoor quilt show on Saturday, May 5 in conjunction with the Mariposa Butterfly Festival.  Vintage to contemporary, king size to miniature, these quilts  are sure to delight visitors to the Mariposa History Center, located just off Hwy. 140 at 5119 Jessie St., where more than 100 quilts will transform the grounds into a colorful garden of artistic achievement.  The exhibit is sponsored by Mariposa Piece Makers.

In recent years quilt making has enjoyed a major resurgence.  Quilt exhibits often include works from throughout the United States and many foreign countries, and quilt shops dot the map from Maine to the Mexican border.  Quilt making has evolved since the days of those created by Grandma that included bits of worn shirts, dresses and feed sacks, and were made out of necessity.  While favorite old designs are still created by today’s quilt makers, current creations in fabric art often incorporate novel and unexpected techniques.

Organizers of the event will honor both past and present quilt makers, displaying quilts from the 1800’s in the History Center’s Coakley Room, surrounded by gold rush era historical exhibits.  Included will be the work of women whose family names are part of the permanent history of Mariposa. 

There will be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a queen size butterfly motif quilt made by local seamstresses.  Proceeds benefit Mariposa History Center.   For additional information, contact Pat Bauer, 209-966-3805 or Mary Wyly, 209-966-5684