- Sections :
- More
It has been a joy to watch quilters who submitted work to the Hansen Museum’s first Open Call Quilt Exhibition return to see their quilts on display—often taking just as much pleasure in admiring the work of fellow competitors. Many arrive with family or friends, and some even bring their entire quilt guilds, turning each visit into a celebration of creativity and connection.
One such memorable visit included Sharon Wolters, who earned Third Runner-Up in the quilt division and Second Place in the wall-hanging division. Sharon arrived with her longtime circle of friends affectionately known as The Twelve. This group of women has sewn together through many seasons of life. They originally formed years ago while living in the Osborne, Portis, and Smith Center areas. Though time and distance have since taken some members as far as Colorado and Marysville, the bonds of friendship and quilting remain strong, and they still make a point to meet regularly.
Sharon’s husband has jokingly dubbed the group “The Twelve Disciples of Quilting.” While the ladies aren’t quite ready to officially adopt the title—out of respect for scripture—the name reflects the depth of their camaraderie and commitment to one another.
The Twelve thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition, pausing to admire techniques, recall past projects and reminisce about quilt patterns they once tackled together. They laughed about color trends from their early quilting days and noted how many of those hues are now cycling back into modern quilt shops. Their connection was unmistakable, and their shared love for both quilting and friendship was truly infectious. As mentioned in last week’s article, these ladies know how to push pause and socialize. Their visit was filled with “oohs,” “ahhs,” and plenty of laughter.
Later that same day, the Solomon Valley Quilt Guild (SVQG), representing the Beloit, Downs, Glen Elder, and Hunter areas, arrived to explore the exhibition. As they signed the guest register, they were delighted to discover that Sharon and her group had visited earlier that very day—especially since many of The Twelve are also members of the SVQG. This group, too, was a pleasure to host, enjoying both the quilts and the opportunity to spend time together. One thing became clear: quilters are happy, social people—and that’s good for health, creativity, and vitality.
Visits like these beautifully illustrate the Hansen Museum’s mission to connect people through art and shared experience. The Open Call Quilt Exhibition is more than a display of fabric and thread—it is a gathering place where stories, skills, and friendships are stitched together across generations and communities. When visitors linger, laugh, reminisce, and learn from one another, the Museum truly comes alive.
The Hansen Museum is located at 110 W. Main Street in Logan, Kansas. Hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00–12:00 and 1:00–4:00; Saturday, 9:00–12:00 and 1:00–5:00; and Sunday and holidays, 1:00–5:00. The Museum is fully handicap-accessible, and thanks to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, admission is always free. For more information, call 785-689-4846. We hope to see you at the Museum soon.
