Local Quilter Semifinalist in International Quilt Show
June 28, 2014
CAMDEN, SC – Pearl Nester, a Camden resident has been chosen as a semifinalist for the 2014 American Quilter’s Society (AQS) QuiltWeek® in Charlotte, NC, July 30-August 2 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Pearl is a member of the Quilters of Kershaw County, an affiliate member of the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County (FAC.) She is married to local artist, member and past president of Camden ART (formerly the Camden Art Association) Edward Nester.
Pearl’s quilt, “Solitude” was chosen along with 182 others to be displayed in the AQS Contest. First, Second and Third place prizes in seven categories will be awarded, along with seven overall awards including Best of Show. Winners will be announced at the show and posted on the AQS website, AQSshows.com. Nester has the opportunity to win the $10,000 Best of Show award as well as numerous other awards including $3,500 Best Wall, Traditional, Innovative, Modern and Computer-Aided Quilt. The AQS show is expected to draw more than 15,000 people to the Charlotte Convention Center.
“This is great being in a show of this quality so close to home. I hope that it will inspire more of our local quilters to enter shows and become involved with AQS. The Quilters of Kershaw County is a wonderful venue for inspiration and learning the different aspects of quilting from the members who love to share their knowledge,” said Nester.
Quilts were entered in this international contest from 37 US states and seven other countries. The American Quilter’s Society hosts seven annual shows throughout the United States each year.
The society was formed in February of 2002, when Nancy Smith organized a group of quilters in Kershaw and surrounding counties to form the Quilters of Kershaw County (QKC). The QKC became an affiliate of the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County. Currently 50 members strong the QKC includes members from Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, and Fairfield counties.
For more information about the FAC, please call 803-425-7676, ext. 300, or visit www.fineartscenter.org. The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County is located at 810 Lyttleton Street in Camden. Summer office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Be sure to check out the QKC web site at www.kcquilters.wordpress.com.
The Fine Arts Center is funded in part by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding provided by the City of Camden, Kershaw County, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina along with donations from businesses and individuals.
