*No longer being produced

Transcription

1 On November 6, APWQ shared some difficult news with its supporters. Naturally, there were quite a few responses, both positive and negative. This document was created to help clarify the reasons for APWQ s decision not to continue producing a quilt show in The current board feels that APWQ has accomplished its original mission and is confident that a difficult and wise decision was made for a healthy future for the organization. It is the board s hope that people will continue to support APWQ as it moves forward in new ways to continue promoting quiltmaking in the region. Jane Moxey, President, Association of Pacific West Quilters. HOW IT ALL STARTED In 1993 the Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation for the purpose of presenting juried and judged quilts shows in the region. From the 1994 Great Pacific West Quilt Show Brochure: "From the onset, the goal of our non-profit association was to present a juried and judged show of quilts from the Pacific Northwest in a gallery-like setting. The quilt show you are viewing today is the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. The NW has long been ripe for a quilt show and only needed a catalyst to spark its creation." GROWTH OF QUILT SHOWS In 1994, these were the major shows west of the Rocky Mountains Pacific International - Santa Clara, CA Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show - Sisters, OR Washington State Quilters Show - Spokane, WA Together with these nine shows, the total number of major shows was 12 American Quilter's Society Show - Paducah, KY Indiana Heritage Quilt Show - Bloomington, IN International Quilt Association Show - Houston, TX Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival - VA Minnesota Quilters Show - MN National Quilting Association Show (traveled to multiple locations) Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza - PA *Quilter's Heritage Celebration - PA Vermont Quilt Festival - VA From 1995 until present, these shows were added. *Innovations - Tacoma, WA La Conner Quiltfest - La Conner, WA Machine Quilters Exposition - NH *Machine Quilters Exposition - Portland, OR Machine Quilters Exposition - Springfield, IL NW Quilting Expo - Portland, OR Home Machine Quilting Show - Salt Lake City, UT The Rocky Mountain Quilt Festival - CO *International Quilt Association - Long Beach, CA Road to California - Ontario, CA Machine Quilters Showcase - KS International Quilt Association Show, Chicago, IL *No longer being produced 1

2 For 2014 Mancuso will produce eight shows in the US Quilts Inc. will produce three shows including the new Quilt! Knit! Stitch! to be held August 2014 in Portland, OR American Quilter's Society will produce seven shows including Phoenix, AZ in February 2014 Today there are approximately 27 major shows in the US. This doubles the number of national shows that there were 20 years ago. Ten shows west of the Rocky Mountains is triple the number of Western shows since Of these major shows, only four are produced by a 501c3 nonprofit organization. (Since the first show in 1994, the APNQ/APWQ show was the only nonprofit juried and judged quilt show to offer prize money.) La Conner Quiltfest, juried/judged, no prize money Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, accepts first 1,400 quilts, exhibition only National Quilting Association Show, accepts first 400 quilts, judged, no prize money Vermont Quilt Festival, accepts first 400 quilts, judged, no prize money The remaining shows are for-profit businesses with paid show staff or run by two or more owners THE ASSOCIATION THROUGH THE YEARS Board members took on major functions of the show such as advertising, publicity, signage, sponsorship, jurying, judging, merchandise, quilt layout, quilt receiving, hanging, lectures, special exhibits, vendor mall, workshops, takedown, volunteers, and quilt returns. The Treasurer processed all association and quilt show funds, paying bills, reconciling accounts, and counting money at the show For several shows, there was a paid Executive Director. Their primary task was to produce the biennial Quiltfest. During the off year, they were responsible for the day-to-day tasks of the association. They provided an essential anchor for APNQ. They were a source of history, provided stability and continuity, managed the overall operations of the association, and produced the quilt show and other events The association had two Executive Directors during this show cycle. The board produced the 2006 show without the assistance of an ED/Show Director The association tried several different staff positions such as an Association Administrator and an Office Manager. Neither arrangement seemed to fill the gap left by previous Executive Directors. Under consideration was a proposal to have board members manage all aspects of the show. This business model not did not work out and a former ED/Show Director returned to produce the 2008 Show. August 2008 After the 2008 Quiltfest at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle, the board of directors acknowledged that the workload was more than a 12-person board, along with a paid Show Director, could manage. Research was conducted for alternate methods of producing a show. One scenario included discussions with a major show organizer to take over management of the show. October 2008 The incoming board decided to continue producing the show and explored hiring a local event management company to manage the show. The ED/Show Director was dismissed. Ultimately, the event management costs turned out to be very high and only certain aspects of the show would have been covered. This left about 60% of the workload still to be managed by the association. 2

3 2009 The 2009 board contracted a Show Director to create, produce, and manage the 2010 Symposium and the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Pacific West Quilt Shows. This began the transition from a board who was directly involved with many aspects of quilt show management to one whose function was nonprofit stewardship The board determined the Bellevue office was no longer cost effective. APWQ became 100% virtual based and association and show items were placed in an indoor Tacoma storage unit A part time paid bookkeeper was hired in spring of Since the annual meeting in 2008 until present, the association has had seven presidents and a total of 37 board members. FUNDRAISING Up until 2006, the quilt shows did not make much money. The Association had a bit of trouble staying in the black during the off year when there was not a source of income. While financial support from businesses, guilds, and individuals was steady, what sustained APNQ were the proceeds from the Gala. The Silent Auction and the Traveling Exhibit live auction netted the association $40,000-$55,000 every two years. (The amount of effort required to produce this event was monumental. The tireless contribution of many people helped make the Gala so successful.) In 2011, regrettably the Gala was canceled due to a lack of presold tickets. There has not been another event that has been able to raise similar amounts of money for the association. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Seattle Center 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 The quilts were displayed in the NW rooms Vendors were in a separate building, ½ block away Lectures were held in the Center House, four blocks away The closest hotel was two blocks away 2004, 2006 The shows were held in the Exhibition Hall Quilts and vendors were in the same building Lectures were held in the Center House, four blocks away The closest hotel was four blocks away 2005 APNQ was notified that the Seattle Center would be altered by the Monorail project. This project was later cancelled. As planning for shows takes place years in advance, a contract for the 2008 show was signed with the Washington State Convention Center. Washington State Convention Center 2008 Workshops were added The closest hotel was 3 blocks away After the 2008 show, APNQ was unable to secure dates with the WSCC 2009 Other Northwest venues were researched including CenturyLink Field, Comcast Arena, Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, Meydenbauer Center, Oregon Convention Center, Puyallup Fairgrounds, Seattle Center and the Tacoma Dome. Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center 2011, 2012, 2013 Workshops were offered The closest hotel was directly across the street 3

4 PUBLIC COMMENTS As with anything, there are at least two points of view. We received comments pro and con. Here are a few we received from members, teachers, quiltmakers, volunteers, and vendors. GENERAL COMMENTS As this is the only major show representing this entire region, how about turning it over to one of the professional quilt show organizations and ditching the non-profit with all its headaches? Would Quilts Inc. or the Mancuso Bros be willing to take the show on? The volunteer hours required to put on this show is impressive, and the decreasing number of people willing to volunteer is disappointing, and then the increasing costs of overhead. We need to keep the organization in the black so that it can keep to its mission. I support the Board's decision. I am sorry to see that we will not have a show next year or in Though I did not work the whole show this year, I and many others (some who worked every day pre, during and post show!) spent hours and hours providing the opportunity for everyone to view this wonderful art. Using a smaller venue in the Seattle Center might have been a good solution. Another solution IMO would have been to move to SeaTac in a hotel like the Doubletree that has a sizeable facilities and is used to hosting conventions--or perhaps the Hilton down the street with all the adjacent hotels and a convention center. It is SO easy to get in and out of Seatac. The cost of Seatac is much cheaper than downtown Seattle or Bellevue for attendees that need to get there and stay overnight. Another option is to use the Puyallup Fairgrounds in Puyallup. I understand the decisions made by the board and support them fully. Thanks to all who have given their time. The size and scope of the Pacific West Quilt Show has reached a point where it is too overwhelming to be run by just volunteers, no matter how dedicated. I continue to be astonished at the great job you do at great cost to yourselves. Thank you for all of your work in presenting marvelous shows to Washington State quilters. It is remarkable that you, as volunteers, have been able to do such a good job. I am sorry to see the show go, but think it is a wise and necessary decision. I was very disappointed to learn that APWQ has had to reach the decision that a quilt show in 2015 is not economically feasible. I have always considered it the best show in the west and have attended since It seems a general trend that quilt shows are drawing fewer and fewer attendees and that merchants seem to be selling less and less quilting merchandise. I sincerely hope that APWQ will find a way to continue as an organization thanks to the tremendous work done by the volunteer board members and that Quiltfest will return as soon as possible. I will continue to support your efforts and try to spread the word to fellow quilters. Keep up the good work. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. SYMPOSIUM I fully enjoyed the summer activity at Evergreen College -- would be interested in participating in a similar activity and I thought it was underpriced for the experience. Expensive symposiums are not the answer and certainly won't draw the number of members you need. Have another off-year seminar, like the one I attended at with David Taylor in Olympia. I have always been sorry that you did not have another seminar, at the same place! It was a great learning experience, and the location was gorgeous! 4

5 OTHER QUILT SHOWS We don't know all the issues you encountered, but blaming the problem on other competing quilt shows is not acceptable. Maybe some solution will present itself but there is such a saturation of shows now. Best wishes to you and all the board that had to make this tough decision. (From a WA State quilt teacher and national level competition quiltmaker.) I also am concerned about several major quilt shows expanding the number of shows - creating more competition for attendees, vendors, and entries. I absolutely loved being a part of the PWQS and the shows that you put on were the best. (From an Oregon, national level competition quilter.) THE SHOW WAS GREAT Thank you for a wonderful quilt show! I have only heard positive comments about the quality of the show. Please reconsider. So very upset that there will no longer be a show in our area of this caliber. I don't want to be left out of the crowd that's crowding (!) your inbox with congratulations and "Atta-girl"s for the just completed 2013 show...it was a grand mix of everything that's wonderful about quilts, quilters and the quilting industry, produced in a highly professional manner. The La Conner Quilt Museum display was very interesting and the display of entrants quilts impressive. I frankly liked the Tacoma location better in general than the Seattle one. I thought it more intimate and friendly. Thank you so much for a wonderful show. It was the BEST! There were so many extras--- appraisals, quilt conservation, and the special shows on the 3 rd floor that added to the experience. The facility was spacious and conducive for a large quilt show. The staff responded promptly to our needs and the computer tech spent time to solve my issues with getting on the internet. He did so pleasantly and patiently. The parking was convenient and the cost reasonable. It was much more manageable than the Seattle Center and the space allowed the quilts to be enjoyed to their fullest. (From a 2012 lecturer.) My partners and I have just returned from a 3-day whirlwind trip to Tacoma to visit the show. What a fabulous show it was. The quilts that come out of the region are exceptional! Loved the new venue and the whole show set up. Well done! We are a tour service for quilters based in Southern California. We brought a group up to the show at the Seattle Center in 2002 and with the change to an annual show and the new venue; we think it's high time to visit the Pacific Northwest once again! THE SHOW WAS BAD Many felt disappointed in the recent shows- --hence a drop off in attendance. We expect a large and fabulous show for the entrance fee, parking cost, and cost of getting to the venue! We have attended APWQ shows for many years and have been disappointed with recent shows. The show has become one that features only "art" quilts. I find the content less and less interesting. The drift toward art quilts became a self-fulfilling proposition. It wasn't so much that people lost interest in attending the show, but more that the show content became less interesting to the average quilter. Lack of real classes means I am not travelling for 9 plus hours to look at a few quilts. You have NOTHING for longarmers. 5

6 THE SHOW WAS TOO GOOD I'd like to see what the creative, intuitive, ordinary (what I call ordinary) quilters are doing, and have the EXTRAodinary (more professional) quilters be praised elsewhere. The quilts made by the ladies/gents who are sooooo far above the ordinary quilter such as me, are so Un-obtainable, its sometimes discouraging to see them win the big prizes, and all my efforts win nothing. TACOMA Move the show back to Seattle. I feel Tacoma is a nice place, but doesn't hold the charm of Seattle. I feel moving the show to Tacoma caused the show to lose luster. Regardless of the reason, I would work to move it back to Seattle. I don't know how to better explain it. We feel the switch to Tacoma was a fatal decision. The Seattle venue was well known, easier access, central location, better parking etc. In my opinion, the show should never have been moved out of Seattle, (sorry Tacoma). Tacoma is boring. I have gone to this show because of the absolutely fabulous, innovative and creative Northwest quiltors (sic) AND for the city of Seattle, the ferry's, Pike's Market, etc. The city has so many things to offer, after the show is done for the day or if you wanted to take a break from the show. Tacome (sic) offers? Without knowing the inside scoop, I don't know why the decision was made, but I feel it was the worst decision ever. I think moving to downtown Tacoma really hurt you. I have only been to the show once in Tacoma because I hate getting to and going to anything in downtown Tacoma. APWQ RESPONSES REGARDING TACOMA The City of Tacoma has undergone a significant renaissance in its downtown area in the recent past. Within a four block walk from the GTCTC is the (free) Chihuly Bridge of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, and the Washington State History Museum. Within a short driving distance is the Lemay Car Museum and Point Defiance Park. In Seattle, APNQ was a small fish in a big pond. The Seattle Visitors Bureau did not extend any help to us, as we could not fill a minimum of 600 hotel rooms a night. Their services applied to the large business conventions where it is typical that one person is in a room. Quilters often sleep four to a room. The majority of the vendors preferred the GTCTC in Tacoma for ease of move-in and move-out. Tacoma hotels were located closer to the event and were less expensive than hotels in downtown Seattle. Tacoma officials bent over backwards to welcome us to the city. The staff at the convention center and the Marriott and Murano hotels was nothing but helpful, supportive, and professional. Quilters wanted workshops offered at the show and classroom locations were not readily available at the Seattle Center. Many complained about the distance between the buildings at the Seattle Center. From a logistical viewpoint, the Tacoma location offered us an opportunity to streamline the process. Tacoma facility costs were lower than in Seattle, as were admission taxes and vendor permit fees. 6

7 From Elizabeth Spannring Executive Director, Quilt Show Director Many have suggested that the downfall of the quilt show was because of the move to Tacoma... or the region expansion... or producing an annual show... Speak with any of the 60 or so past board members from 1993 until 2008 and ask them how hard they worked. The majority will say they worked themselves into the ground and that they would never, ever, ever, consider taking on that task again. This was when the show was still in Seattle, the region was smaller, and the show was on a biennial cycle. A small show, with local quiltmakers, produced every other year was too much work. Since 2009, board turnover was a major challenge. At times, your board struggled to keep the association running and to meet the requirements for a Washington State nonprofit. The absence of an Executive Director was evident as was training for new board members, clear job descriptions, and fostering of community relations. Numerous communications were sent with a call for new board members. Those in attendance at the annual meetings these past four years were part of the discussions. A survey was sent to the membership April of 2012 and over 300 people responded. Many of those comments have been included in this letter. In 1994, many people believed the vision of creating a world-class quilt show in our own backyard was a worthy and commendable goal. Instead of bemoaning the issue that the show is not what it used to be I choose to focus on what was accomplished. Countless local quiltmakers have benefitted from our show, from having their quilts featured in magazines, to national exposure for teachers and lecturers, through sales of their quilts to collectors or participation in one of the eight Traveling Exhibits. Visitors have been inspired and quiltmakers have proudly shared their work. Many APNQ/APWQ contestants have gone on to compete and win on an international level. Several have the honor of having their quilts be part of the permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY. Looking at it from the glass is half-full aspect I can say--we accomplished what the founding board members set out to do. A gallery like setting for local quiltmakers to display their work was created. This was at a time when there was not a local venue available. We produced a world-class quilt show in the greater Seattle-Tacoma region. We should be proud. We are fortunate that the goal we set out to do has been fulfilled. Many nonprofits will never see their missions realized. Those that work at feeding the hungry or finding a cure for a disease may require decades of work and may never be able to say that they have accomplished their mission. One of the duties of the APWQ board is to assess the current culture of the quilting world. Some of the difficult questions that needed answers were --- What services do we provide? What needs are we fulfilling? Do we have the resources? Do other groups provide the same service? Do they do it better? Your board consists of eight individuals who are enthusiastic and committed. They are exploring and researching how best to fulfill the APWQ mission through education and inspirational exhibits. APWQ is charting a new path toward fulfilling the mission of promoting the art and craft of quilting in the Pacific West. The future is bright. Please check the website for updates on how you can get involved. 7