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Contemporary Massachusetts Quilts

Contemporary Quilts from the New England Quilt Museum

The New England Quilt Museum (NEQM), located in the heart of the historic district of Lowell, Massachusetts, was founded in 1987 by the New England Quilters Guild to preserve and interpret the quilts that are part of America's textile history. Archipelago by Nancy Halpern was commissioned as the first contemporary art quilt for the future collection in 1983. In 1991, a gift of thirty-three antique quilts from Gail Binney Stern and her father, Edwin Binney III, provided the core for the permanent collection, which now includes over 400 quilts. Gifts of quilts from generous donors continue to augment and enhance the collection. Since the 1987 opening, the museum has presented over one hundred exhibitions of historic and contemporary quilts by regional, national and international quilters. Each year, four exhibits are presented, during which at least twelve quilts from the Permanent Collection are also displayed. Over 450,000 people have viewed these exhibits at the museum or at other venues across the country. Since 1993, the museum has been housed in the former Lowell Institution for Savings Bank. This 1845 building is located in the historic district of Lowell, Massachusetts, a center for textile history. Thanks to a successful Buy A Brick campaign from 1995-1998, the museum was able to pay off the mortgage on the Shattuck Street building and has adapted the old bank to serve the needs of a modern museum.

Contemporary Quilts From the NEQM Collection by Massachusetts Quilt Artists

At the heart of the New England Quilt Museum’s contemporary collection is the work of a group of talented artists from Massachusetts. Several were part of the first Quilt National in 1979, and many have continued to be represented there and in SAQA publications. In 2007, NEQM was pleased to present Contemporary MASSters From the NEQM Collection, curated by Anita Loscalzo, which featured the work of contemporary Massachusetts quilt artists. The New England Quilt Museum is privileged to have the work of so many talented area quilt artists in its collection.

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