The Horry County Museum Quilt Gala has become a fixture on the Grand Strand. Started in 1994, the first Gala was held on the lawn of the Horry County Courthouse. Over the years the Gala has continued to grow and is now held at the Ocean Lakes Family Campground Recreation Center in Myrtle Beach.
Many different types of quilts are displayed at the Gala which represent a variety of techniques and skill levels. Categories include wearables, large quilts, medium quilts, small quilts, and a challenge quilt. The wearables are handmade garments sewn using a variety of quilting techniques. The challenge category changes each year and is based on preset restrictions. The 2018 challenge theme is “Life’s a Beach”. Quilters in this category are challenged to create a wall hanging that represents their ideal interpretation of the phrase using any color, style, or technique that they feel best represents coastal living.
Winners from each category will be voted on by the public and will receive a ribbon. The blue ribbon winners from each category are displayed in the Horry County Museum during the month of March.
In addition to displaying quilts, the Gala also hosts demonstrators, speakers, and a featured quilter. Participants will also get to hear Kathy Aparicio, this year’s featured quilter, share her journey from traditional quilt maker to art quilter.
Along with the beautiful quilts, local and regional vendors will be on hand to support, consult, and aid the quilter with various quilting products.
The Museum is grateful to have the support of local quilt guilds for many years to aid in the management, set-up, and break down of the Gala.
The 24th Annual Quilt Gala will be held Friday February 23rd from 10 am–4 pm and Saturday February 24th from 10 am-4 pm. Admission is $5.00 per person; Museum Members and children 12 and under are free.
For more information about the 24th Annual Quilt Gala and a schedule of events please contact the Horry County Museum at 843-915-5320, e-mail hcgmuseum@horrycounty.org, or visit our website at www.horrycountymuseum.org.