Australia Wide Nine Opening

 I recently flew over to Adelaide for the opening of Australia Wide Nine. It is the biennial exhibition run by Ozquilt Network Inc. (OZQN)

I am the President of Ozquilt Network, which promotes art quilts for Australian and New Zealand art quilters. We met earlier in the day for our AGM, it was a bit more tricky than usual because the AGM was held in person as well as via Zoom. It all went well and I was elected President for a second year. A visitor took a photo of us after the meeting.

OZQN AGM

After the meeting, Zara Zannettino kindly gave us a talk about photographing our quilts. Then it was time for the official opening of AW9.

The opening was held at the newly renovated gallery Fabrik, in Lobethal Adelaide. Lobethal is in the Adelaide Hills, I think it was about a 45 minute drive from the city.

The quilts are 40cm x 40cm square or about 16 inches, they were beautifully displayed and the gallery provided us with a delicious spread of finger food.  I missed out on the food because I had to give an opening speech and then I was busy talking to guests. We had over 50 people at the opening including quite a few interstate people.

Here are a couple of photos of the crowd.

I took some photos of quilts with the artists, but I missed out on getting a photo of everyone who was there. Too much talking I suppose.

Here I am with my quilt Tropicana.

Me with Tropicana

Still Surching by Zara Zannettino

Bandicoot on Damask by Julie Haddrick

Ode to Bundanon by Linda Balding

Lorinda Freeman 

Here are some other quilts that I admired.

And the Wheels go Round 4 by Sue Reid

Blossom and Buzz by Tracey Barelli

Configuration by Alison Withers

Kangaroo Grass Study 2 by Alison Charlton

Mr. Roo 2 by Ann Head

After the opening we had a dinner at the Lobethal Bierhaus which is the restaurant next door. Unfortunately,  the power went out in the area and in the end we were dining by candle light. Luckily we had ordered wood fired pizza for dinner. The staff were frantically trying to cook and serve us, it was slow but everyone understood.

It was much more stressful being the organiser for the event rather than a guest, but it went well I suppose. My husband came with me, so that made it a little holiday for us and it was good to catch up with some fellow quilters.

Bye for now,

Linda