Fall exhibit looks at quilts, baskets

As part of the Columbia River Gorge Quilt show at the end of September, the center brought from the collection 10 quilts and hung them on the second floor. The oldest quilt dates from 1840 and is a stuffed applique. The most unusual work of art is complemented with a quilt from 1880 comprised of three-inch squares embroidered with flowers. Each square is different; there are no repeats. Five quilts date from the 1860s and the most recent one is from 1920.

In addition to the quilts, five quilt tops are displayed in a case with the oldest one labeled as the postage stamp design dating from 1905.

A paper quilt, a project of the fourth grade students at Stevenson Elementary School, completes the exhibit.

The quilts will be up until Nov. 15.

The exhibit, "Gifts of the Forest," will be installed in the short-term art gallery Oct. 15 and terminate Jan. 15, 2003.

The exhibit is comprised of contemporary baskets by artists Leslee Burtt and Chris Warren, and fiber art by Marilyn Wold. All three artists are from the Portland area.

The baskets incorporate natural materials such as cedar bark, wild cherry bark, and bear grass with the antlers of deer, elk, moose or caribou.