This new show for March and April at the Sebasticook Valley Federal Credit Union in Pittsfield (ME) is a collection of some of the fabric works of artist Annette Houston of Newport. The show may be viewed during normal business hours.

Art quilting is a form of visual art that uses traditional and non-traditional quilting techniques to create art objects. Quilt art generally has more in common with the fine arts than it does with traditional quilting. This art is meant to be hung on a wall  or may appear in  three dimensional sculptural form.

Art quilters create  fabric art based on their experiences, imagery, and ideas rather than traditional quilt patterns.  Art quilters may paint, dye or otherwise alter the fabrics they use, similar to painters who paint on canvas or paper.  Art quilters may use fusible plastics  to join fabrics together as well as using stitchery.  Threads are used to embellish the design and  often  create  design elements of their own.

Of the twelve pieces exhibited throughout March and April, most are art quilts.  The artist has used traditional piecing techniques in the large Lone Star hanging. In two long hangings representing summer flowers, the fabric was first tie-dyed and then overpainted and embellished with colorful machine quilting.

Another  long hanging shows Sashiko quilting designs which are often found on Japanese garments, surrounded by images of cranes. Another  quilt has cutouts of moths and butterflies dancing on a pieced background. One  quilt  is a fabric collage of a large vase of summer flowers.

Linda Miller is the curator of the exhibits at the Sebasticook Valley Credit Union.  Works on display are for sale.  A percentage of sales is donated to the Ending Hunger Campaign of the Credit Union, and a percentage donated to the Valley Arts Alliance.