A Pop of Creativity Through Quilts
The Oak Island Beach Quilters’ 2026 Challenge quilts are now on display at Franklin Square Gallery in Southport.
For their 2026 quilting challenge, members of the Oak Island Beach Quilters were challenged to “make a black and white quilt with a pop of one color.”
They could use fabrics that were either a solid black or white or black and white prints or a combination of the two. They could have only one “pop” color and integrate it any way they wanted. And they could use either a standard pattern or design their own. The competition instructions were given at the guild’s meeting in October 2025, with the deadline of August 2026 to complete the quilts.
Twenty-nine members took up the challenge, and the result is an astounding display of imagination, creativity and talent. The quilts are on display at Franklin Square Gallery in the large room upstairs until September 19.
Four winners and an Honorable Mention were chosen by two artists and are identified by beautifully quilted tags. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the contest and vote for their favorite for the People’s Choice Award.
When you visit, be sure to read the blurb under each quilt. It says why the artist chose the design she did and, in some cases, how she did it. It is fascinating to see how many different thoughts, reactions, themes and designs resulted from all quilters having exactly the same instructions. Some are based on recollections from the artist’s past. A few are nostalgic. A couple of the artists admit to being taken out of their comfort zone. And one tells a very funny story for how she picked her subject.
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
4th Place
5th Place – Honorable Mention
One of the early visitors was formerly a dealer in antique quilts, and he explained the difference between judging a quilt by its eye-appeal versus. its technical difficulty. He thought this show’s First Prize Winner was an excellent choice because it qualified on both accounts.
There is also a beautiful ceiling display, which was created and hung for this show by the husband of one of the members.
Oak Island Beach Quilters Show
Franklin Square Gallery
130 E. West Street, Southport.
Open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Closed on Sunday.
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