Flowers and fabric blooming at Olbrich ...

East side or outside of town is the question of the day at our house. There are dueling openings tonight at two of our favorite art venues: Olbrich Botanical Gardens on Madison's far east side and Artisan Gallery in the charming little town of Paoli.

Tonight Olbrich is hosting a Members Only Preview of their annual "Quilts in Bloom," fall flower and quilt show from 5-7 p.m. It's free, there will be light refreshments, music and a cash bar. And members get 20% off in Olbrich's Growing Gifts shop all day today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WATERLILY FOUNTAINS BY KATHLEEN HUGHES

This is always a fun show — it opens to the public on Saturday and runs through Oct. 17 — and offers a chance to see a fabulous array of floral quilts up close. This year the event includes the biennial exhibit of "challenge quilts." These are smaller works where the quilters must all use the same fabric to design their own original quilt. It's aways inspirational to see what the quilters do with these restrictions.

Related quilt events include:

• Quilt Art Sale: The Thursday Quilting Friends will be selling quilted items including table runners and wall hangings on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26 and Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A portion of the proceeds benefits the gardens.
• Book Signing and Reading by Jennifer Chiaverini: Madisonian Chiaverini is the author of 16 quilt-themed novels as well as books of quilt patterns and the designer of fabrics for quilting. She will be reading from her work, signing books and one of her quilts will be on display. This event runs from 2-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26.
• Quilt Show Plant Sale: A number of plants used in the quilt displays will be sold on Monday, Oct. 18 beginning at noon and until supplies last. 

For more information on these and other events, check Olbrich's website here.

Be sure to allow time to stroll through the gardens where the display of grasses is at their peak. You can see what they look like and read what a Texas visitor has to say about Olbrich here. Pam Penick, well-known in Austin gardening and blogging circles, recently visited Olbrich and has written half a dozen posts about her experiences.

 

and pottery in Paoli

Also tonight is the opening of the 7th Annual Ceramics Invitational at the Artisan Gallery in Paoli, just minutes outside of Madison. The gallery is housed in an old creamery right next to the Sugar River in the prettiest location imaginable. Tonight's opening runs from 5-9 p.m. and includes many of our favorite potters like Bill Grover, Mark Skudlarek and Delores Fortuna, so it's an opportunity to see their new work and catch up with old friends at the same time.

Other exhibits opening this evening at Artisan include Larry Stephens' concept-based sculpture, "Baladeuse," in the cooler, and the work of seven jewelers. If you don't already know it, Artisan carries some of the most beautiful jewelry you will find in the area as well as the simply stunning stainless steel handbags created by Wendy Stevens.

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I can see why you are so torn about which way to go. You certainly won't be disappointed either way.

[Erin]

You can't go wrong either way! I guess I'm feeling a pottery vibe today so I'd go out of town!

[Pam/Digging]

I have one more post about Olbrich coming up tomorrow. Thanks for the link love.

[Les]

I can't believe that first pic is of a quilt. Wow!

[Megan Speckmann]

I'm so excited to find a garden blog based in Madison! Thank you Pam. Love Wendy Stevens and her fabulous bags. My mom always had a quilt at the fall Olbrich show too. Looking forward to following your blog.

[Barbara H.]

What a delightful dilemma! I'm working my way backwards again - too easy to get behind on the reading. Whatever you chose, I'm sure it was wonderful.