In honor of National Quilting Day, the Folk Art Center will host demonstrations and exhibitions celebrating textile arts.

The National Quilting Association, Inc. began sponsoring National Quilting Day in 1991. Quilting groups across the country use the event as a way to raise awareness of the traditional craft.

On Friday, March 14, 2014, Southern Highland Craft Guild member and quilt historian Connie Brown will demonstrate quilting on a home sewing machine in the Folk Art Center lobby from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Saturday, March 15, which is actually National Quilting Day, Connie will curate a small display of antique quilts. Visitors are invited to bring a quilt – a family heirloom, an antique purchase, or a vintage quilt with a unique design, for questions and analysis by Connie. She can help identify time periods by fabrics and patterns used. Information about how to care for quilts and how to learn more about the process will be provided.

On Sunday, March 16 the Asheville Modern Quilt Guild, a chapter of the national Modern Quilt Guild will host a pop up exhibition of fiber art in the Folk Art Center auditorium from 1-3 p.m. The public is invited to see the show and to learn more about the organization.

While at the Folk Art Center, visitors can enjoy Eyecatchers: The Hunter Collection in the Main Gallery. From the private collection of Barbara & Robert Hunter, the show highlights a variety of designs, fabrics and techniques found in traditional and contemporary quilts.

Janice Maddox, a participant in the show and Southern Highland Craft Guild member, will be on hand in the gallery Saturday, March 15 from 1-3 p.m. to discuss her work as well as the techniques used by other artists exhibiting. “Eyecatchers” will be on display through May 11, 2014.

Details: National Quilting Day, March 14-16. The Folk Art Center is located at Milepost 382 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, just north of the Hwy 70 entrance in east Asheville, NC. For more information please call (828) 298-7928 or visit www.craftguild.org.