There are quilts and quilters to behold at the Austin Area Art Center.

Sunday marked the opening of a new season, plus a salute to a special artist of the month.

But more about the quilts first.

All of the quilts are special creations of master quilters. One of the quilts is unique for a different reason.

A special quilt called "Welcome Home" is a unique quilt design by Thimbleberry.

The shop also was responsible for the collection of fabrics used to create the quilt blocks and surface design.

Mary Nordeng did the expert machine quilting. The beautiful 2003 quilt is on view at the Austin Area Art Center now and will be awarded Jan. 19 to the person holding the winning ticket.

Money earned from the donations of tickets will be given to the Eagles Cancer Telethon.

"Thanks to the many who contributed their time, talent, and materials to this project," said Sue Sathre, project coordinator.

Raffle tickets are available from noon to 4 p.m. at the Austin Area Art Center, Wednesday through Sunday.

New season debuts

The Austin Area Art Center kicks off its new season by presenting area artisans, featuring Mona Quilters, Hardanger Embroidery and the Austin Woodcarvers.

The January/February show kicks off the 2003 exhibition season, according to James Wegner.

Showing quilts and fibers has become an annual event at the Austin Area Art Center, located in the Oak Park Mall in Austin.

Harry and Sue Davis are the organizers of the show and contact persons for the center, in collecting the 150 pieces of work in the exhibition.

According to the Davises, the quilts were produced by a group of quilters organized about five years ago who meet on a monthly basis to do quilting projects.

Gallery visitors will find old traditional designs such as Dresden Plate, Double Wedding Ring, Sampler Quilt, and Scrap Quilts using a variety of patterns and a Hers quilt that uses 30s reproduction material.

Most quilts are machine sewn, but some are hand-pieced. Member quilters represented in the show are Sue Davis, Kim Bundy, Margaret Whalen, Eloise Foss, Karen Whalen, and Linda Mayer.

Some members have been quilting for more than 50 years.

A new member of the group is eight-year-old Kelsey, daughter of Kim Bundy. Kelsey is working on a block of the month and has completed her first block called Paige's Patriotic Star.

Donna Myers has a collection of Hardanger that ranges from embroidery pieces that are decorative Bell Pulls, framed Crown Plate wall pieces, and 3-D Angels to functional items such as aprons, a luncheon cloth and a dress collar.

She has been producing Hardanger Embroidery (a form of Scandinavian stitchery) for 30 years and has formed a Hardanger club that meets once a month.

"We are still learning and sharing," she said. Her work is all for sale.

Myers has also designed and made church paraments for churches in Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota. The Congregational Church in Austin has a full set of the liturgical colors.

Wood art, also

Give a wood carver a piece of wood and stand back to watch the chips fly as it becomes magically transformed into a whimsical figure or a full size rocking horse.

The Austin Wood Carving Club was founded by George Winter, Vern Esse, Glen Bakke and David Dammen in 1992 and now has a membership of 40 carvers.

They meet the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Center at 400 3rd Ave. N.E. in Austin. Some of the carvers in the club have been scheduled by Don Whalen to do demonstration carving on weekend afternoons at the art center.

The show was designed and installed by Wegner, Shelley Brandon, and Denyse Hompe.

Artist of the month

The Austin Area Art Center artist of the month is Denyse Hompe.

Her colorful watercolors embrace floral, landscape and nature abstractions.

She holds a degree from the Massachusetts College of Art and has been a working member of the art center for many years.

Hompe has twice been the recipient of the City Purchase Award, most recently in 2002. She is actively been involved in her church and community. She has served on the library board for many years. She is also a member of WAASO.

The art center continues to show its members art in its Sales Gallery Corner.

The art center also offers a variety of art classes for adults and children. Contact the center for times and places by calling 433-8451 during gallery hours, noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday,

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com