HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-10-24, Page 16ES
Crossroads
16
Times -Advocate
Wednesday, October 24, 2006
Russian colour lights up Ailsa Craig
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
AILSA CRAIG — A blaze of colours and styles
filled the Ailsa Craig Rec Centre over the weekend
as Russian quilters filled the building in a show
organized by Cotton -by -Post Quilt Shoppe owners
Suzanne Agnew and Garnet Smalley.
Smalley said the show, which featured 31 quil-
ters from Russia, took a year and a half to set up
and is the first time the business had done some-
thing like it.
The exhibition featured 141 quilts and Smalley
said "every piece is different and significant."
The show ran from Oct. 15 to Oct. 20 and as
well as the display there were fashion shows,
Russian cooking and classes led by both Canadian
and Russian teachers on such subjects as Russian
dolls, decorative rugs and textured flowers.
There were also demonstrations of such arts as
machine quilting, thread painting and the history
of Russian quilting.
Smalley, who is married to Agnew, said he got
involved with quilting 12 years ago when Agnew
started the business.
"I've met some of the most wonderful people,"
Smalley says of quilters. "People put their heart
and soul into it. It's a very rewarding business
and a lot of fun."
Smalley said the couple has plans for another
show next year that will feature the work of East
Africa and he says "it will be just as good and just
as unique."
Across the ocean — From left, Russian quilters Olga Milvanova,TatianaVyborova and Krasova Inna were
among the 3 I quilters who made the journey from Russia to Ailsa Craig last week for a display of their work.
The show was organized by Cotton -By -Post Quilt Shoppe of Ailsa Craig. Below are Inna and Milvanova with
examples of their work.(photo/Pat Bolen)