Opening: Starry, Starry Night February 6, 2009

Las Cruces, NM – “Starry, Starry Night” is the theme of the Las Colcheras Quilt Guild President’s Challenge on display at the Branigan Cultural Center from February 6 through February 28, 2009. An opening reception will be held in conjunction with the 1st Friday Downtown Ramble from 5-7 pm on February 6th.

Each year, the out going president of the Las Colcheras Quilt Guild establishes guidelines for the challenge that includes use of a preselected fabric and theme. “Starry, Starry Night” was chosen and the selected fabric was available in three different colors. The challenge is open to everyone, not just guild members. In even years the quilts are included in the biannual quilt show. In odd years, like this year, there is a special exhibit of the quilts. The quilts are judged and ribbons with a cash prize are awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

The primary goal of the Las Colcheras Quilt Guild is to promote the art of quilting in the Mesilla Valley. The Guild endorses the philosophy of community service and engages in activities that support that philosophy. They maintain a quilt cupboard that can provide quilts for people as the need arises. The Guild also provides grants to Las Cruces teachers in support of fabric related activities in the classroom. For more information on the Guild, including monthly newsletters, visit http://lcqg.org.

Las Colcheras Quilt Guild will hold quilting demonstrations each Wednesday and Saturday at the Branigan Cultural Center from 9 am to noon for the duration of the exhibit.

The Branigan Cultural Center, 501 N. Main Street, is located at the north end of the downtown mall in Las Cruces. The exhibit and reception is free and open to the public. Galleries are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about exhibits, contact the Branigan Cultural Center at (575) 541-2154 or visit the Center’s web site at http://museums.las-cruces.org.