Unconventional & Unexpected comes to a close.

May 24, 2015 Roderick Kiracofe

I have been unpacking the quilts from my exhibition that closed on May 17 after it opened on February 14 of this year. The quilts from my recent book, Unconventional & Unexpected, generated so many ideas and excitement that flowed into this exhibition of the same name at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. It was thrilling to see the quilts as I imagine them: freely flying, invitingly draped over a pedestal, or with its back shown instead.

Toward the end of the exhibition as part of the A.R.T.S. Student Exhibition, 4th and 5th graders from Sonoma came to visit the exhibition. After seeing the quilts, they responded in kind with their own quilted creations. They installed their pieces amongst Unconventional & Unexpected, titling their show Piecing It Together. The concurrent exhibitions paired so very beautifully. I am in love with their masterpieces!

The threads of a colorful passion for quilts

May 10, 2015 Roderick Kiracofe

“It was a common belief, Kiracofe said, that quilt making stopped after World War II. ‘People didn’t need quilts any more; there were blankets.’

But, had quilting really stopped?”

— Petaluma360

The exhibition, Unconventional & Unexpected, was featured in Petauma360 on May 10, just before the exhibition closed. I had a great conversation with them about my background with quilts and my adventure in discovering their beauty.

Read the article here.

Unconventional & Unexpected is at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art from February 14 to May 17, 2015.

Sonoma Index-Tribune asks Kiracofe "why he finds such comfort in his vast collection of comforters"

February 14, 2015 Roderick Kiracofe

Renowned quilt authority and collector Roderick Kiracofe hangs some quilts Wednesday as part of an exhibit at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. Image: Robbi Pengelly of Sonoma Index-Tribune. — Renowned quilt authority and collector Roderick Kiracofe hangs some quilts Wednesday as part of an exhibit at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. Image: Robbi Pengelly of Sonoma Index-Tribune.

The exhibition also titled Unconventional & Unexpected is finally up at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. The Sonoma Index-Tribune did a beautiful piece on the exhibition. They came with great questions.

'U&U' exhibition with 'Shaker Stories' speak to the "fine art of craft"

February 13, 2015 Roderick Kiracofe

The Sonoma Valley Sun featured the simultaneous shows at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art:

Read the review here.

The shows run through May 16. The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, located at 551 Broadway, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. $5, children and members free. 939.7862

“Presenting American crafts and craftsmanship as examples of fine art and design, quilts and Shaker furniture are featured in separate exhibitions at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. ‘Unconventional and Unexpected: Quilts Below the Radar, 1950-2000’ and ‘Shaker Stories from the collection of Benjamin H. Rose, III.’”

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