The 18th Australasian Quilt Convention (AQC) has opened at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building, showcasing the best Australian and global quilt craft and offering workshops from renowned crafting experts.
Quilters travel from all over Australia and New Zealand, to attend the one-, two- and four-day masterclasses, with world-class tutors from Australia and overseas, and to take in the finest quilt craft from Australia and across the world.
Convention classes run on all four days, with tutors from France, the UK, the USA and Australia, teaching a range of techniques for beginners and experienced quilters alike.
When not learning tips and techniques from some of the best in the business, visitors can view up close a variety of incredible quilt displays, including international collections and the pinnacle of Australian quilt competitions – finalists’ entries in the Australian Quilt Show Challenge.
“The unique element at AQC is the AQC Quilt Show,” said Judy Newman, Craft Consultant at Expertise Events. “Anyone can visit the AQC and enjoy the quilt show and shopping, and this year’s display is like no other.”
“The collection visitors view at AQC can be seen only at this event and it will delight anyone with an appreciation of textile art,” she added.
Highlights of the 2024 Australasian Quilt Convention includes:
- Sketchbook Quilts by Gillian Travis – keen traveller and quilter, Gillian Travis from the UK, will present an exhibition of her Sketchbook Quilts, inspired by her travels around the world.
- Best of QuiltCon – travelling exhibition of new works from the world’s premier modern quilting event, QuiltCon 2024, which will be held in North Carolina, USA. This exhibition comes to Australia direct from the QuiltCon event – the first stop on its global tour.
- RED by SAQA – the colour red has played a major role in art, rituals and spirituality. The use of red can evoke excitement, danger, anger or love. It is associated with purity in India and, in China, it traditionally symbolises luck. Thirty-nine works from makers from the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Italy and Australia are featured in this creative collection – a Studio Art Quilt Associates global exhibition.
- 20 Perspectives – windows, Doors and Portals is the theme of the 20 Perspectives exhibition. This group of international textile artists are united by their love of textiles and the desire to share their art with others. This will be the first exhibition of this collection.
- AQC Challenge – each year, the Australian Quilt Convention holds a challenge for quilters. Thirty quilts are selected, shown at AQC first, and then toured across other craft events around the country. This year’s theme: Oh My Stars!
- Rajah Exhibition – every year, the prestigious Rajah award is presented to a quilter who has made an outstanding contribution to the art. The 2023 Rajah award winner is Jen Kingwell, who will be exhibiting her colourful works at the event.
- The Australian Quilt Show – finalists’ work from the 2024 Australian Quilt Show Challenge will premiere at AQC. This is a national competition for Australian quilters, running for the third year. The total prize pool is worth $31,797, including $19,800 in cash.
Australasian Quilt Convention is a magnificent showcase of quilting art, providing colourful, first-class works, expert workshops and unique retailers, all under the breath-taking dome of Melbourne’s iconic Royal Exhibition Building. It will be well worth a visit for anyone who appreciates textiles, quilts and art.
The Australasian Quilt Convention takes place at the Royal Exhibition Building from 11 – 14 April 2024. For more information and full program, visit: www.aqc.com.au for details.
Images: Voisinage Nocturne by Anne Bellas | ROAARR by Christy Hatherley | Ceramic Portals by Julie Haddrick