Everyone knows that first impressions are extremely important. They set the tone and expectations for what will happen later. When you walk through the doors of the Ontario Convention Center for Road to California, we want your first impression to be something special – just like the event itself. 
Past themes in the arcade have included winter icicles and honoring individual quilters. For the past three years, the massive hallway has been adorned with quilts provided by quilt guilds from throughout Southern California.
How are the guilds chosen? Any quilt association can submit an email to Road requesting to be considered. The guild to be honored is chosen randomly from all the submissions. Once chosen, the guild then picks 35 quilts to be displayed. The only requirement is that the quilts must be at least 6 feet long. Road staff supervises the hanging of the quilts on special wiring in the arcade.
While the exhibits on the show floor tend to offer quilts that are created by artists and specialty quilters, the guild quilts showcased in the arcade are more traditional in workmanship and provide inspiration for quilters of all skill levels.
So, who will be the featured quilt guild for Road 2014? The Camarillo Quilters Association.
The Camarillo Quilters Association has 300 plus members from the Ventura County area and beyond. Besides exchanging ideas about quilting, learning new techniques, and improving quilting skills, they also work to inform their community about the history and preservation of quilts.
This group gives away 700 quilts a year among their many philanthropies including RAIN Communities, Inc. (helping homeless families in transitional housing); A New Start for Moms (quilts are given as a motivation and reward for graduation from their parenting skills program); Habitat for Humanity; Life Centers of Ventura County; the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit; and convalescent homes.
The association is quite excited to be able to share their quilts in the atrium exhibit. Remarked one of their members: “I have been going to Road for the last 10 years. What a joy it would be to see my quilt up there.” Previously, they had one quilt that was shown at Road in 1995 and have had the Presidents Quilt 2011-2013.
When you come to Road 2014, prepare to look up. A wonderful first impression will be waiting to welcome you.
]]>Tags: Camarillo Quilters Association, Ontario Convention Center, Quilt Guilds
I love, love, love the “first impressions” of attending the Road to California Conference and Quilt Show. In addition to first impression there is something special about this display of quilts when attending classes, enjoying lunch, and attending the show in general. To me it is a special signature of this show that makes Road stand out of all shows world wide.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the winter icicles, I do appreciate hearing insights on how this particular exhibit is created. And, of course, I look forward to seeing this exhibit in the future. Always one of my favorites.
Excellent post. Thank you!
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Thanks for your kind words and thanks for being such a great supporter of Road.
Excited our guild will be hanging this year!! :0) always love to see the colorful display.
We can’t wait to see what you will be displaying!!!
We are so honored to have been chosen for the atrium display! One of the quilts we are sending is the President’s quilt from 2011-2013. You have a picture of it shown above. The blocks in this quilt come from our members and are an indication of the breadth and depth of talent in this wonderful guild. These blocks were assembled and quilted by the President from those two years, Darla Drain, but this quilt represents all of our members.
Lynne Nuibe
President
Camarillo Quilters Association
Lynne- It it will be fun to see the President’s Quilt in person!!!