2023 Challenges
aqu 20th anniversary challenge
20th Anniversary Challenge - The artist becomes the muse! You will be randomly assigned a 20th century artist, choose any artwork from that artist and create a textile homage using any technique in any size. A unique and fun take on "20th".
Artwork due: February 2024 : 8 months to go!
Visit the exhibits page for more information
Artwork due: February 2024 : 8 months to go!
Visit the exhibits page for more information
bROWN BAG EXCHANGE - BRING YOUR BROWN BAGS TO mARCH MEETING
Join in the fun, mystery and creativity of our Brown Bag Exchange!
How to play:
- grab a brown bag
- gather fabrics, trims, threads, beads, unconventional materials, etc that you'd like in your art piece
- take a photo of these items for your records, then place items in the bag
- include a piece of paper with your name inside the bag
- drop off your bag at the February or March membership meeting, Holly Watson is the exchange coordinator
- at the April membership meeting you will receive a mystery bag of items, keep it a secret
- create a small art piece with the items, not more than 20" x 20" in size
- bring the finished item to the December holiday party
- we will reunite the materials in their new form to the original owner during the final exchange
Notes:
- you do not need to use all the fabric in the mystery bag, but try to use as much as possible
- you may add a small amount of additional fabric or trim if needed
- the project you create can be anything; mini quilt, wall hanging, pouch, book cover, drink cozy, purse, and so on
- there is lots of time to work on this project, the final exchange will take place at December's Holiday Lunch
- ***this is a commitment, please don't disappointment someone by not finishing the piece
- have fun, get creative
How to play:
- grab a brown bag
- gather fabrics, trims, threads, beads, unconventional materials, etc that you'd like in your art piece
- take a photo of these items for your records, then place items in the bag
- include a piece of paper with your name inside the bag
- drop off your bag at the February or March membership meeting, Holly Watson is the exchange coordinator
- at the April membership meeting you will receive a mystery bag of items, keep it a secret
- create a small art piece with the items, not more than 20" x 20" in size
- bring the finished item to the December holiday party
- we will reunite the materials in their new form to the original owner during the final exchange
Notes:
- you do not need to use all the fabric in the mystery bag, but try to use as much as possible
- you may add a small amount of additional fabric or trim if needed
- the project you create can be anything; mini quilt, wall hanging, pouch, book cover, drink cozy, purse, and so on
- there is lots of time to work on this project, the final exchange will take place at December's Holiday Lunch
- ***this is a commitment, please don't disappointment someone by not finishing the piece
- have fun, get creative
past challenges
Twist - TWIST DENIM INTO SOMETHING NEW
TWISTED YARNS ARE USED TO WEAVE DENIM, NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO TWIST DENIM INTO SOMETHING NEW
Materials: up-cycled denim; reimagine denim panels into something completely new; pieces should be approximately 80% up-cycled denim
Size: no restriction
Type: Hanging, 3D, wearable, other
Due: September 2022
Technique: any!
Inspirational websites:
Materials: up-cycled denim; reimagine denim panels into something completely new; pieces should be approximately 80% up-cycled denim
Size: no restriction
Type: Hanging, 3D, wearable, other
Due: September 2022
Technique: any!
Inspirational websites:
UFO challenge
UFO registration has been extended to June 30!
Follow these 3 easy steps to join the UFO Challenge 1. Register your UFO by emailing ufo4aqu@gmail.com 2. Pay online using the button above 3. There is 1 Rule - Your UFO must be a project you started in 2021 or prior and was put away unfinished 4. Check in your completed UFOs via email to the address above or bring to a membership meeting |
third challenge of 2021
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The Color Theory Game by Holly Watson
A few years ago Pat Haas and I decided we were each going to do a series. She chose faces, which she is very good at. After thinking of many ideas, I chose Color Theory. I decided to check a variety of books with color theory articles, lessons etc. I came upon Katie Pasquini Masopaust’s book Color and Composition for the Creative Quilter. Not only does she talk about color, but also composition and design. It sounded very exciting to me, so tried a couple. But I soon realized there were so many options, I would never do all of them, which would I do next.
So I came up with what I call the Color Theory game. I’m thinking it should have a new name.
I’ve been thinking about writing a book for this game, and it would be fun to have pictures of your challenge quilts in it. You can make more than one!!
There are directions on the game sheet. For this challenge I would like you to make it any shape you’d like, perimeter no larger than 60”. Due date will be Oct. 9. I hope you enjoy this challenge.
Holly Watson
A few years ago Pat Haas and I decided we were each going to do a series. She chose faces, which she is very good at. After thinking of many ideas, I chose Color Theory. I decided to check a variety of books with color theory articles, lessons etc. I came upon Katie Pasquini Masopaust’s book Color and Composition for the Creative Quilter. Not only does she talk about color, but also composition and design. It sounded very exciting to me, so tried a couple. But I soon realized there were so many options, I would never do all of them, which would I do next.
So I came up with what I call the Color Theory game. I’m thinking it should have a new name.
I’ve been thinking about writing a book for this game, and it would be fun to have pictures of your challenge quilts in it. You can make more than one!!
There are directions on the game sheet. For this challenge I would like you to make it any shape you’d like, perimeter no larger than 60”. Due date will be Oct. 9. I hope you enjoy this challenge.
Holly Watson
The first two challenges are broad and relatively undefined. Very much left to the imagination of the Artist. We can’t wait to see your creations!! This is just for our group, at this point. We don’t have a plan to put them in an exhibit or show. That may change, but right now there is no plan.
Holly Watson will be developing our third challenge. More information will be available soon.
We all change throughout our lives; That is how we grow and evolve. For this challenge, create a piece showing how your subject has changed over the years. The subject can be a person, a technique, a place or anything else that brings you joy.
Did you know that many of our postal stamps are actually a reproduction of a work of art.? Every year the USPS selects 15 commemorative designs to be released into circulation. This link is to an interesting article about art and the postal stamp. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-stamps-usps-1902451
For this challenge, create a piece to commemorate the year 2020. 2020 was a very difficult year for many of us. However, there were some positives as well. We learned how to communicate differently. We learned that there were material things that we didn’t really need. It was a time to reset and really focus on what was (and is) most important to us. This challenge is about that…what did 2020 mean to you?
Holly Watson will be developing our third challenge. More information will be available soon.
- Past, Present, Future
- Medium & Technique: Artist’s choice
- Size: Maximum 20 x 24
- Reveal: March 13, 2021
We all change throughout our lives; That is how we grow and evolve. For this challenge, create a piece showing how your subject has changed over the years. The subject can be a person, a technique, a place or anything else that brings you joy.
- Postage Stamp
- Medium & Technique: Artist’s Choice
- Size: Maximum 10 x 10
- Reveal: May 8, 2021
Did you know that many of our postal stamps are actually a reproduction of a work of art.? Every year the USPS selects 15 commemorative designs to be released into circulation. This link is to an interesting article about art and the postal stamp. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-stamps-usps-1902451
For this challenge, create a piece to commemorate the year 2020. 2020 was a very difficult year for many of us. However, there were some positives as well. We learned how to communicate differently. We learned that there were material things that we didn’t really need. It was a time to reset and really focus on what was (and is) most important to us. This challenge is about that…what did 2020 mean to you?
- Color Theory
- Developed by Holly Watson
- More information to follow

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2019 - 15 year anniversary challenge
“FIFTEEN!!” - New Challenge for 2019 from Exhibits Committee:
The first fiber art enthusiasts of what became AQU met 15 years ago at Arts for ACT in Fort Myers. To celebrate, honor and observe AQU’s 15 years as SW Florida’s exclusive art quilters organization, create a 15” x 15” work using any media, around the idea of “fifteen”. These should be constructed as a quilt sandwich, not mounted on stretcher bars or anything rigid. They will be shown together in grid formation on a single wall.
The first fiber art enthusiasts of what became AQU met 15 years ago at Arts for ACT in Fort Myers. To celebrate, honor and observe AQU’s 15 years as SW Florida’s exclusive art quilters organization, create a 15” x 15” work using any media, around the idea of “fifteen”. These should be constructed as a quilt sandwich, not mounted on stretcher bars or anything rigid. They will be shown together in grid formation on a single wall.
2018 - resist Challenge - complete
2017 Irma Mini Challenge -complete
Irma Mini Challenge Due March 2018 at the AQU meeting: Create a fiber art piece that communicates your experience of Hurricane Irma- whether you experienced the storm here in SW Florida, evacuated, monitored by media from another location (the anxiety of not knowing), of dealing with the aftermath and clean-up/ repair to property. The piece must contain some nylon screening (pool cage screening). It can be any size; hanging from a sleeve or another method, backed with heavy material or layered with batting. It can also be 3- dimensional. If there is enough response, this may become an AQU exhibit.