When the Sacred Threads exhibition comes to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Hayesville from May 9 until May 22, visitors will have a rare opportunity available normally only to people living in major cities. This traveling exhibition showcases 40 of the 300 or more quilts made by artists in the United States and Canada and shown biennially in cities such as New York, Washington, D.C., and Pasadena, California. As co-chair of the event Jane Oliver says, “How lucky we are, Hayesville, NC, to be granted the gift of showing this amazing exhibit.”

The quilts in the show explore themes of joy, inspiration, spirituality, healing, grief, peace, and brotherhood. Each quilt is the artist's response to a strong feeling inspired by a powerful life experience, ranging from delight to a confrontation with death. Some celebrate nature's beauty and our love of animals. Others express spiritual devotion from varied faith traditions. Still others confront social issues such as racial injustice. Each quilt is uniquely beautiful.

Sacred Threads originated in 2001 as a juried show offering a respectful venue for the artwork of quilters of all faiths who use their work to express their spiritual journeys. Jane Oliver recalls seeing the show in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 2015 and thinking, “What an amazing collection of work. Its diversity of origin, theme, artistic interpretation, and skill is striking. So often in this world we are bombarded by polarities and differences. These works remind us of the experiences, feelings, and spirit we all hold in common.”

At Good Shepherd, the quilts will be mounted in the Parish Hall, a well-lit and comfortable venue for individuals or groups to experience the show to the fullest. For information, please contact Jane Oliver at janeoliver@bellsouth.net. Chambers of commerce in Clay County, NC and Towns County, GA can be contacted about lodging and dining. For more information about the exhibition, visit the website: sacredthreadsquilts.com.