Quilts have long been something to wrap up in, a source of warmth and comfort passed down through generations. But in the hands of Santa Cruz artist Nana Montgomery, a quilt becomes something more: a canvas for color, texture, and imagination.
This season, the Branciforte Library Friends are proud to present Nana Montgomery: Taking Quilts from the Bed to the Wall – Merging the Traditional with the Contemporary, an exhibit of her mixed-media art quilts on display at the Branciforte Branch Library from November through January.
For more than 50 years, Nana has explored the possibilities of quilting, evolving from traditional quilt maker to contemporary mixed-media artist. She combines fabric, paint, beads, and other materials to create original works designed to hang on the wall rather than lie on a bed. Her quilts have been exhibited across the United States and internationally, and her work has even been featured on HGTV’s Simply Quilts.
In Nana’s own words: “Working with fabric is my passion and my inspiration comes from everywhere.” Through her art, she seeks to expand the notion of what makes a quilt, bringing a contemporary approach to both subject matter and materials. You’ll see it in her work, from glowing, stitched trees beneath a starry sky to playful fish and a cat rendered in bold blocks of orange and blue.
Join the Branciforte Library Friends for a special artist reception on Saturday, November 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the Community Room. Meet Nana, view her beautiful artwork up close, and hear about the creativity, curiosity, and delight that continue to shape her work.
Event details:
📅 Artist reception: Saturday, November 14
🕑 2:00 – 4:00 pm
📍 Branciforte Branch Library, Community Room, 230 Gault St., Santa Cruz
🖼️ Exhibit on view November through January
👥 Adults 18+
Presented by the Branciforte Library Friends
