MATHEWS––The Mathews Museum reopens Friday, Sept. 5 after two months of renovation. The museum’s first major exhibit will feature, “The Art of the Quilt,” sponsored by the Mathews Bay Quilters Guild. The exhibit showcases the talent of fabric artists and ranges from full-sized quilts to small items such as table runners and wall hangings.
Styles range from traditional Americana, which reflect techniques reminiscent of the 19th and 20th centuries, to modern quilts, a style that came into prominence in the early 21st century.
There is also a special exhibit of quilts that were displayed at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show, a national quilt exhibition offered annually in Hampton. “The Art of the Quilt” exhibit is coordinated by Cheryl Dale and Raquel Kelly, Mathews residents and members of the Mathews Bay Quilters Guild. The combined talents of these ladies represent decades of experience and knowledge of textile study.
“Every quilt has a story,” said Dale, a noted fabric and quilt historian and international textile teacher. “We plan to share those stories as expressed in fabric art. This will be an opportunity for visitors to not only see items that bring back memories, but to experience the development of modern quilts that are more mindful of cubism and surrealism.”
The exhibit will remain at the museum throughout September.
Joining in the opening weekend activities is the Bay School Community Arts Center, presenting its “Mathews Arts Fest” during Mathews Market Days. The fest offers for sale numerous creations by local artisans.
The museum is located at 200 Main Street in Mathews. For information, call 695-4664.
