‘Slow Art Day’ invites analysis and discussion of quilts

Not many students venture beyond city campus even for class, much less so to spend time at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum.

This Saturday, the museum will take part in an international event to promote appreciation for art viewing, allowing visitors to look at quilting at a deeper level.

"Studies show that the average amount of time a visitor spends looking at art is about 8 seconds," said Maureen Ose, Communications Coordinator of the museum.

According to Ose, "Slow Art Day" is an annual effort made by museums across the world, encouraging visitors to take their time to study and enjoy the art put on display.

"Some people have great museum experiences," Ose said. "And some are more rapid and quick. So, this is an international, grassroots approach to do something to help people appreciate art."

The museum will feature work in the "Nebraska Quilts and Quiltmakers" gallery as well as the "Marseille: White Corded Quilting" exhibition for the event. Ose will pick two pieces from the collections to highlight and inspire discussion from participants, offering handouts with detailed information and questions. The afternoon will offer a brown bag lunch, allowing visitors to mingle and talk about the quilts they took time to view.

"It's very interesting to contrast these two exhibits," Ose said. "All of the quilts in the Marseille collection are made in France, while in the other collection they're made in Nebraska, so it's interesting to see what makes them different because of that."

Ose hopes that this event will allow students to come view the art and will inspire them to come back again and again. The museum is actually a very welcoming place for UNL students; it offers free admission, Wi-Fi and a pleasant setting for studying.

The museum also hopes that students can appreciate quilting as an art, rather than a material unfit for artistic display.

"There is texture and form and depth in the quilts," said Barbara Caron, Assistant Director of the Museum. "This art lends itself to being studied for an extended amount of time."

"We've really got something to offer here," Ose said. "I love museums, and I want to share that with people."

kelseylee@dailynebraskan.com

if you go

Slow Art Day

when: Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with Brown Bag lunches at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

where: International Quilt Study Center and Museum, 1523 N. 33rd St.

how much: $6 general, free for students