Museum of International Folk Art

 

If you are ever lucky enough to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Museum of International Folk Art is a must-see. The permanent collection is a dazzling display of dolls and dollhouses, puppets and puppet theatres, embroidered samplers, silver talismans, carved masks and intricate models of vehicles and villages, with pieces collected from all over the world.

Until September 2, 2013, you can catch a fine exhibit, "Plain Geometry: Amish Quilts" which explains the evolution of Amish quilting and its regional variations. Several dozen beautiful examples are on display in a well-lit and spacious gallery. I've met any number of quilt aficionados who have told me that seeing the rich colours and spare designs of Amish quilts was what first inspired them to consider quilts as art.