RECEPTION & SHOW MARK NATIONALLY KNOWN QUILTER TO PRESENT PROGRAM

March 19, 2001

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ellen Sue Blakey, 307/864-3391

RECEPTION & SHOW MARK NATIONALLY KNOWN QUILTER TO PRESENT PROGRAM

"My American West: Quilts by Janet Ludwig," will premier Friday, March 23, beginning with a reception at 6:30 p.m., at Dancing Bear Folk Center in Thermopolis.

Ludwig is from Story, Wyo. Ludwig's style is distinctive because she creates pictures using piecing techniques rather than traditional applique.

Her quilts have won her national recognition. She has won three best-of-show ribbons at Quilting in the Tetons. In 1990, her quilt "All American Medley" won Best of Show at Quilt America in Indianapolis and was pictured on the cover of "American Legion Auxiliary Magazine." It was the Wyoming winner in the Lands' End contest in 1992. The editor of "Quilt Magazine" listed it as one of her all-time favorite quilts.

A 1991 quilt commemorating the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus was chosen for the Pacific International Quilt Festival in San Francisco in 1992.

The "Western Howdy from Cowboy Country" quilt was Wyoming winner of the Lands' End contest in 1994. It was subsequently pictured in "Country Woman" magazine.

In fall 1998, "Quilt World" magazine ran a special feature on Ludwig's "Heaven Sent" quilt designed to commemorate the life of a terminally ill friend.

Ludwig has appeared on HGTV and has taught classes in Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota. She sells a line of patterns under the name Chickadee Charms (www.chickadeecharms.com).

The show is the first time Ludwig's award-winning quilts have been shown as a group. Ludwig will attend the reception as a special guest and will be teaching workshops during the retreat.

The reception will be followed by an informal talk and slide presentation, "Confessions of a non-traditional quilter," by John Flynn, Billings, Mont. Flynn is nationally known as the inventor of a multi-frame quilting system used for both machine and hand quilting without basting. He has appeared on HGTV and at shows across the country, including Quilters Heritage Celebration in Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Williamsburg and American Quilter's Society Show in Paducah, Kentucky.

Flynn sells his multi-frame system as well as template sets and books through Flynn Quilt Frame Company (www.flynnquilt.com).

Flynn and Ludwig will conduct hands-on workshops on Saturday and Sunday. Ludwig's show will be on display through April.

A local quilt show will also be on display at Hot Springs County Museum.

Tickets for the reception, show and program are $12 at the door. The program is open to the public.

The program and workshops are sponsored by Dancing Bear Folk Center, Big Horn Basin Education Foundation, Wyoming Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and Pinnacle Bank.

Dancing Bear Folk Center is located in the Old West Wax Museum complex, 119 S. 6^th, on Highway 20. For more information: 307-864-3391 or 307-864-9490.