 With summer in full swing, it seems especially appropriate for the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles to pay homage to Hawaii, the ultimate tropical paradise. While it’s known for its white, sandy beaches, palm trees and easygoing lifestyle, it’s also celebrated for its rich textiles and colorful culture. These and other qualities are reflected in the museum’s newest exhibits. Hawaii’s Alfred Shaheen: Fabric to Fashion celebrates the work of textile designer and master fabric printer Shaheen with a retrospective exhibition of his iconic prints and textiles, as well as his vibrant aloha wear (such as Shaheen's mid 1950s cotton "Tahitian Girl" dress, left).
Grand Appliqué: Hawaiian Quilts highlights traditional quilts designed and created by master quilter Carol Kamaile and her students; these works are marked by graphic, symmetrical designs, innovative construction methods and nature-inspired imagery.
Rounding out the lineup is Wendeanne Ke’aka Stitt: Contemporary Kapa, which features Stitt’s contemporary works using kapa, a native Hawaiian textile constructed with the fibers of particular trees and shrubs. This labor-intensive tradition gets a new lease on life through Stitt’s work, which uses cloth composed of pounded bark from the paper mulberry tree. While you may not be able to head to Oahu or Maui this summer, at least you can get a taste of island life through these limited-engagement exhibitions.
When: thru August 8
Where: San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, 520 S. First St., San Jose
More info: 408/971-0323; www.sjquiltmuseum.org
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