The Quilt Association

The Quilt Association is a UK patchwork and quilting organisation formed in 1996 when a group of friends with an interest in patchwork and quilting decided to investigate the possibility of setting up a quilting centre in Mid Wales. It is run by a small team of volunteer trustees and operates as a charity and company limited by guarantee. Its aim is to promote and educate people in patchwork and quilting in particular and textile art and craft in general. The Association is based at The Minerva Arts Centre in Llanidloes, Powys, Wales, a building it owns and manages. The Centre has two exhibition spaces, each approximately 200 square metres, suitable for one large exhibition or, if subdivided, for several smaller ones. There is a flat above Gallery 1 and a small garden at the rear. When the Centre is not being used for quilting and patchwork exhibitions and workshops, it is made available to other organisations for hire. The Quilt Association conserves and curates a nationally important, growing collection of over 200 antique quilts and textiles, many of which are from the local area. The collection is made available, by appointment, for study for personal or research purposes and features in exhibitions, publications, books and magazines. Volunteers catalogue the items, arrange conservation work, and research individual items, looking at construction techniques, fabrics, quilting and patchwork styles and the social history of the maker. The Association runs a series of workshops and exhibitions throughout the year, with the highlight being its annual summer exhibition, taking place from July to September. This exhibition has gained a reputation for showcasing excellent contemporary works alongside a selection of antique quilts drawn from collections around the country. Each summer there is a programme of related workshops. Regular classes and groups meeting at the Minerva Arts Centre include the Welsh Heritage Quilters, Sewing Bees Mending and Upcycling, Quilt Conservation Club, Visual Arts Group and Queer Craft Club. The organisation traces its roots to a 1985 exhibition of quilts from Ron Simpson's collection in the Old Market Hall in Llanidloes, which was featured in the first issue of Patchwork & Quilting magazine. In 1995 a group of friends worked to set up the first major summer exhibition of antique quilts, again based on Ron Simpson's collection, called simply "Welsh Quilts." The Minerva Garage, a former showroom and working garage, was rented for the purpose, along with other venues in Llanidloes. Summer quilt exhibitions have taken place annually since then, and until 2001 were based around Ron Simpson's extensive collection. The quilt group Welsh Heritage Quilters was established and began meeting regularly in Llanidloes, eventually settling at The Minerva Arts Centre for a weekly Wednesday afternoon meeting. In 1996 The Quilt Association was established as a charity and company limited by guarantee, and a feasibility study was carried out to consider setting up a permanent centre for patchwork quilts and textile arts and crafts in Llanidloes. In 1998 funds were found from the European Union, Powys County Council, Llanidloes Town Council and private donors to buy The Minerva Garage. The property, renamed The Minerva Arts Centre, has two exhibition spaces. In 1999 work started on the building to make it more suitable to its new purpose, and the first quilts were donated to The Quilt Association, followed by many more in subsequent years. Others have been purchased to fill gaps in the collection. In 2000 most of the building work was completed. The Quilt Association continues to operate as a volunteer-run charity, recruiting new trustees and hosting exhibitions, workshops and events such as the Vintage Style Fair and Ancient Stones and Landmarks at the Minerva Arts Centre.

The Quilt Association's history begins in the 1980s. In 1985 there was an exhibition of quilts from Ron Simpson's collection in the Old Market Hall in Llanidloes. It was featured in the first issue of Patchwork & Quilting magazine. A decade later, in 1995, a group of friends worked to set up the first major summer exhibition of antique quilts, again based on Ron Simpson's collection. It was called, simply, "Welsh Quilts." The Minerva Garage, a former showroom and working garage, was rented for the purpose, along with other venues in Llanidloes. Summer quilt exhibitions have taken place annually since then, and until 2001 were based around Ron Simpson's extensive collection. The quilt group Welsh Heritage Quilters was established and began meeting regularly in Llanidloes, eventually settling at The Minerva Arts Centre for a weekly Wednesday afternoon meeting. In 1996 The Quilt Association was established as a charity and company limited by guarantee. A feasibility study was carried out to consider setting up a permanent centre for patchwork quilts and textile arts and crafts in Llanidloes. In 1998 funds were eventually found from the European Union, Powys County Council, Llanidloes Town Council and private donors to buy The Minerva Garage. The property, renamed as The Minerva Arts Centre, has two exhibition spaces, each approximately 200 square metres – suitable for one large exhibition or if subdivided for several smaller ones. There is a flat above Gallery 1 and a small garden at the rear. In 1999 work started on the building to make it more suitable to its new purpose. The first quilts were donated to The Quilt Association, followed by many more in subsequent years. Others have been purchased to fill gaps in the collection. In 2000 most of the building work was completed. Since then, the Association has continued to run annual summer exhibitions, workshops and events, and to care for its growing collection of over 200 quilts and textiles. It is run by a small team of volunteer trustees and owns and manages The Minerva Arts Centre, making it available to other organisations when not in use for quilting activities. The organisation also runs regular classes and groups including the Welsh Heritage Quilters, Sewing Bees Mending and Upcycling, Quilt Conservation Club, Visual Arts Group and Queer Craft Club. It has been recruiting new trustees and hosting events such as the Vintage Style Fair and Ancient Stones and Landmarks.

• 2000

  Most of the building work completed.

• 1999

  Work started on the building to make it more suitable to its new purpose; first quilts donated to The Quilt Association.

• 1998

  Funds from the European Union, Powys County Council, Llanidloes Town Council and private donors used to buy The Minerva Garage, renamed The Minerva Arts Centre.

• 1996

  The Quilt Association established as a charity and company limited by guarantee; feasibility study for a permanent centre.

• 1995

  First major summer exhibition of antique quilts, called "Welsh Quilts," based on Ron Simpson's collection, held at the rented Minerva Garage and other venues in Llanidloes.

• 1985

  Exhibition of quilts from Ron Simpson's collection in the Old Market Hall in Llanidloes, featured in the first issue of Patchwork & Quilting magazine.

A volunteer-run heritage charity and arts centre dedicated to preserving and promoting Welsh and traditional quilting, offering exhibitions, workshops and study access to a nationally important collection.

• Annual summer exhibition

  Held from July to September, showcasing contemporary works alongside antique quilts from collections around the country.

• Curated collection of over 200 quilts and textiles

  Nationally important, growing collection of antique quilts, many from the local area; available by appointment for study.

• Workshops and classes

  Regular classes and groups including Welsh Heritage Quilters, Sewing Bees Mending and Upcycling, Quilt Conservation Club, Visual Arts Group and Queer Craft Club.

• The Minerva Arts Centre

  Owned and managed by the Association; two exhibition spaces each approximately 200 square metres, available for hire.

1. 1The Quilt Association | Exhibition Space | Minerva Arts Centrequilt.org.uk
2. 2History/Trustees | The Quilt Associationquilt.org.uk
3. 3ABOUT | The Quilt Associationquilt.org.uk
4. 4Regular classes / groups | Quilt Associationquilt.org.uk
5. 5The Quilt Associationwikidata.org