Shattered by Carol Taylor

Thirty quilts from the 11th Quilt National Collection will be on the display at the Riffe Gallery November 2 through January 7, 2001. Quilt National '99, produced and circulated by the Dairy Barn Southeastern Ohio Cultural Arts Center in Athens, is a juried international exhibition of the work of innovative contemporary quiltmakers that showcases transformations in the world of quilting.

Work in Quilt National '99 was chosen from more than 1,320 entries submitted by nearly 640 artists in 27 states and 13 countries. Every work in the exhibition had to fulfill several criteria including mastery of technique, overall design and concept. Quilts were chosen for their depth of style, content, technique and emotion.

"Today's artists are adding to the rich foundations of the heritage quiltmaker, while transforming color and texture through modern technology. Their innovative methods provide visual experiences that are fresh and invigorating," said Hilary Fletcher, Quilt National project director.

Several special events will be held in conjunction with Quilt National '99. Michael Mrowka and Deborah Lunn of Lunn Fabrics will demonstrate their quilting and fabric dyeing techniques on November 5. On November 19 Hilary Fletcher will present a lecture titled Traditions and Transitions. On December 3 Susan Shie and James Acord will conduct a hands-on workshop called Tiny Outsider Art Quilts for young people 12 and older.

The Riffe Gallery, operated by the Ohio Arts Council, showcases the work of Ohio's artists and curators and the collections of the state's museums and galleries. The gallery is in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, State and High Streets, Columbus. Hours are Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 12-8 p.m. and Sunday 12-4 p.m. Admission is free.

The National Endowment for the Arts has received its first budget increase in eight years. On October 11, President Clinton signed the FY2001 Interior Appropriations Bill, which includes an increase of $7 million for the NEA. The legislation also adds $5 million to funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities and $600,000 for the Office of Museum Services.

The new budget levels set the NEA at $105 million, NEH at $120 million, and OMS at $25 million. All of the increased spending for the three cultural agencies originated in a money bill passed by the Senate. 

The House-passed version of the measure froze all funding at current levels. This is the first time in several years the Senate has succeeded in persuading the House to accept its proposal for more arts funding. The new arts spending will fund community outreach and arts education projects as part of the NEA's Challenge America initiative.

For the past five years, the arts endowment's funding has remained flat at just under $100 million.