Quilts by, from left, Wendy Degenart, Sandra Mehias and Pilar Donoso will be on featured at the Parkersburg Art Center’s “Flora, Fauna and Landscape” textile art exhibit, with an opening reception slated for 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — An opening reception with textile art demonstrations for “Flora, Fauna and Landscape,” a textile art exhibit at the Parkersburg Art Center, is scheduled for 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday,

Textile artists and teachers from Chile traveled to the United States in August 2019 to exhibit 10 of their art quilts. The trip was sponsored by Bernina Chile to promote a month-long, side gallery exhibit of their work during Quilt National 2019 at The Dairy Barn Arts Center in Athens, Ohio.

The same summer, eight textile artists came together at the Dairy Barn to form TASO, Textile Artists of Southeast Ohio.

Both groups realized they were presented with a great opportunity for organizing a future cooperative exchange for quilting inspiration. A decision was made to encourage artistic expressions via a theme that allowed for creative work without constraints. And thus, “Flora, Fauna and Landscape” was created to focus on the habitat in which the artists lived and showcase each artist’s style.

“People have asked what defines an ‘art quilt,’ as opposed to a regular quilt,” said Abby Hayhurst, artistic director for the Parkersburg Art Center. “The best definition I’ve found is the one used by the Studio Art Quilt Association, which states that an art quilt expresses aesthetic concerns (composition, color, etc.) common to every art medium, but retains, through materials and technique, a clear relationship to the folk art from which it descends. Another way to differentiate might be to look at one of these pieces and say, ‘Would I yank this off the wall and wrap myself up in it to watch ‘Bridgerton?” Likely not.”

Hayhurst said the art center is honored to be the first facility to house the exhibit before it begins an international tour in July.

“It’s not very often — like, never — that we get to launch a touring exhibition of this caliber,” she said.

Bill Bailey Insurance is the sponsor for the exhibit.

“Attending an exhibit opening is my idea of a wonderful Mother’s Day outing,” said Jessie Siefert, managing director of the Parkersburg Art Center. “But if you are not able to visit us on Sunday, stop in during our regular hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. or for the closing reception on June 6 at 1:30 p.m. where we will be visited by some of the Chilean artists.”

Sunday’s opening reception costs $10 to attend but is free to Art Center members and children 12 and under. The Parkersburg Art Center is located at 725 Market St.

Regular entry is $2 for non-members and free for Art Center members and children. Wednesdays are free days for all. More information about the Art Center can be found on its Facebook page or at www.parkersburgartcenter.org.