Overview and History of AQG
The Arizona Quilters Guild, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1978 to promote the appreciation of quilts; sponsor and support quilting activities; encourage quilt making and collection; further the growth, tradition, culture, and history of quilt-making; and foster good fellowship among persons interested in the art of quilting in Arizona. This remains our goal.
The initial small group of dedicated quilters has grown to approximately 2,400 members throughout the state of Arizona. We currently have 51 chapters as well as many members-at-large.
Our chapters meet in libraries, churches, and community centers throughout Arizona. It is through the participation of our chapter members and our members-at-large that we are able to promote quilting. Annual spring and fall meetings are held which include a business meeting, lunch, speakers, time for renewing old friendships and making new ones, door prizes, show and tell, and a vendor mall.
A hunger for knowledge inspired our Traveling Teacher Program, which provides teachers from within our membership who are willing to share information about quilting with individual chapters. Another program brings widely recognized instructors to different locations throughout our state. This program, known as Q.U.I.L.T. (Quilters Utilizing International Level Teachers) Seminars, is partially funded by the Guild as a benefit to its members.
The Guild sponsors an annual quilt show in March. Members may enter their quilts for judging or for display. There are no entry fees for Guild members. In 2008, the quilt show had 450 quilts on display and 32 vendors. Approximately 4,000 people attend the show, making it one of the largest in the Southwest.
Individual members donate small quilts to the annual Small Quilt Auction. The proceeds help fund the Q.U.I.L.T. Seminars as well as our Traveling Teacher Program. The Small Quilt Auction is held during the annual quilt show.
Chapters throughout the state work on a wide variety of local service projects, including donating quilts and other needed items to crisis centers, nurseries, retirement homes, head start programs and shelters for battered women, as well as sponsoring quilting activities in their own communities.
Individuals wanting further information about the Guild may address their inquiries to:
Arizona Quilters Guild
2048 North 44th Street, Suite 212
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Or call (602) 220-9889 and leave a message. Annual dues are required. Benefits include 10 issues of The Guild Newsletter - The Patchwork Chatter - along with use of an extensive quilting library, discounted admission fees and no quilt entry fees for the AQG Quilt Show, and discounted classes and lectures through the Traveling Teacher Program and the Q*U*I*L*T Seminars. Individual chapters may have additional dues.