Southport Magazine

Franklin Square Gallery is hosting the 2023 Quilt Show through Sept 23. The show features handmade art quilts created by members of the Oak Island Beach Quilters guild (OIBQ), an organization that includes over 90 local quilt artisans. This year, each quilt is being created to represent one of the four seasons and may feature either traditional quilting patterns, like “Maple Leaf” block or “Grandmother’s Flower Garden,” or original, one-of-a-kind patterns created by the individual quilter. Although quilts entered in the show will not be offered for sale through the Gallery, interested collectors are invited to contact the OIBQ at OKIbeachquilters@gmail.com if they wish to add one of these artisan-made, one-of-a-kind quilts to their collection.

First, Second, Third and Fourth Prizes were awarded to selected quilts on August 26 prior to the Show’s opening, and a Viewers’ Choice Award will also be chosen by votes submitted by visitors to the Show. The Quilt Show will also highlight the many charities supported by the OIBQ. These have included the creation of nursery quilts, pillowcases, and receiving blankets for patients at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center and “Quilts of Honor” which have been awarded to those who bravely serve and support our community.

A cooperative of more than 120 artists, Franklin Square Gallery is located at 130 E. West Street, Southport, NC 28461, in the heart of the historic downtown area. Surrounded by live oaks and situated in an historic building that once served as a schoolhouse and town hall, the Gallery offers the community and visitors alike the opportunity to experience the rich artistic culture that thrives in Southport and surrounding areas.  The Gallery is open to the public, free of charge, from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, and all are welcome. The registration deadline for artists for the Southport Maritime Art Show is Oct 9.