Houston International Quilt Show

Quilts spark interest during Fourth of July in Troup

Aunt Lillie’s Antiques and Gifts will roll out the red carpet for the 12th annual quilt show on July 2-4 and the streets of Troup will be busy with visitors coming to “oh and ah” over the beautiful works of art on display.

This yearly event began after owner Deborah Burkett bought the home that once belonged to her great grandfather’s sister. The Victorian home is listed in the Texas historical registry; built in 1872 by Dr. Erasmus M. Hanna, one of the founders of Troup and an investor in East Texas railroads.

Burkett says that besides his medical practice, Dr. Hanna’s interest included the first hotel in Troup, The Hanna House. Five generations of Hanna descendants have lived in the home located on North Georgia Street.

“In the 1950’s, Lillie Langston Bugg lived in this house, with her son Elray Bugg and daughter-in-law Mary Kathryn Ayres Bugg, a descendant of the original owners,” Burkett said. “Elray and Mary Kathryn had three children; Jeffie Lee, Billy Ray and Willis. The shop is named after Lillie Langston Bugg. She was my great grandfather’s sister.”

Burkett says when she was a little girl; she and her grandfather Willie Langston visited Aunt Lillie many times in Troup.

She opened the antique shop in October 1999 and shortly after that hosted a Christmas party for the Troup Historical/Genealogical Society.

“Mary Anne Coney helped me decorate for the party with vintage clothing,” Burkett said. “In the midst of finding these clothes we came across many old quilts and that started us talking about displaying the quilts.”

The first show opened at Aunt Lillie’s the July 4th weekend of 2000. Each year brings new quilts and new quilters to light.

After meeting Victoria Hoffman, renowned quilt collector/appraiser, at the Houston International Quilt Show in 2001, the two made fast friends. Burkett’s work took her to the New York area a lot and they began to visit more and more. Victoria came to her shows and offered appraisals for quilts at the request of their owners.

“She has been a wonderful mentor and friend,” Burkett said.

Each show is different. Some have themes, others have not. Burkett has a rule that no one can show the same quilt twice. And that doesn’t seem to be a problem. Burkett says there is never a shortage of quilts.

Spotlight: The Art Quilt Gallery NYC - Ellen's Blog - Quilting Arts

Dale and I had been attending International Quilt Market in Houston for many years. In Houston you get to see the cream of quilting from around the world, the best of the best, and it's so striking. We talked about how more people should see the amazing quilts we were able to see in Houston. In New York City not as many people know about art quilting and we wanted to show people what's really going on in the art quilt community. We had an unexpected opportunity to expand our store and when that happened we decided to devote part of the new space to the gallery. If we'd had to get a new space to open the gallery, it most likely wouldn't have happened. Opening The Art Quilt Gallery NYC is very close to both of our hearts, and we feel the amazing work being done by art quilters today should be seen by more people. Traditionally quilting has not been considered fine art, I think, partly because it's mostly women who do it and it's something that started out as a domestic art-out of necessity and use. And while not every quilt is necessarily classified as art, there are quilts that are art. The first artist we chose to exhibit was Daphne Taylor who is not as well known as some art quilters. But she has a fine arts background, with a master's in painting. She switched to creating textiles about 15 years ago and she has been an artist all her life. We felt she was a good example to be the first exhibitor in our gallery. Most quilters who come to New York City seem to seek us out if they can. Now they have something extra to see. To be able to interact with world-class quilts almost every day of the year is an inspiration. We've had so many quilters come in and say that they had no idea that art quilts were like this. Our core customers are thrilled to see this level of work. On the other hand, we're trying to get non-quilters in. It is a commercial gallery, so the art is for sale. We try to draw other clientele such as interior decorators and people who buy art for public buildings. Definitely. Our second exhibit is with Noriko Endo and she will be teaching two classes and giving a gallery talk open to the public for free. We have a great opportunity to have world-famous art quilters come to New York City and interact with visitors. Carol Taylor will also be teaching an upcoming class. It's wonderful to get this caliber of quilter to teach and lecture.

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