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A Look Back at the 44th West Virginia Quilt and Wall Hanging Juried Exhibition

Laiken Blankenship

By Laiken Blankenship

Since 1981, The West Virginia State Museum has hosted a juried quilt show, selecting a best of show which becomes part of the State Museum collections. Each year an out-of-state nationally certified quilt judge is selected to jury the quilts submitted from quilters across the state of West Virginia. Last year there were 43 quilts and 16 wall hangings from across 18 different counties juried in for the exhibit on display in the great hall of the Culture Center in Charleston. The exhibit opens in concurrence with the Vandalia Gathering every year on Memorial Day weekend, and remains on display through Labor Day weekend.

In 2025 the exhibit was juried by Mary M. Zesiger, a judge from the National Association of Certified Quilting Judges. Mary has been quilting seriously since 1980. She was a member of the National Quilting Association for over twenty nine years, became an NQA Certified Teacher in 1991 and served as the NQA Certified Teacher Coordinator for 2 years. She began judging in 1996, judging local and regional quilt shows; completed NQA Judging Certification in 2006 and Masters Judging Certification in 2009. Each year the judge also teaches a workshop that is free for interested quilters to attend.

There are three categories that are judged each year in the show: Pieced, Mixed/Other, and Applique. Each category is awarded first through third place, and there is an overall best of show selected, as well as up to three honorable mentions. The judge also has the option to award the NACQJ Award of Merit which can be awarded to one quilt achieving recognized standards of quilt-making excellence. According to the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges, “The ribbon is not meant to conflict with any other show awards, but will be an encouraging addition to them, at no cost or obligation to the show sponsors. The NACQJ Award of Merit is yet another way NACQJ strives to recognize and reward fine quilts.”

Below are some of the prize winning quilts from the 2025 West Virginia Quilt and Wall Hanging Juried Exhibition.

Square dancers surrounded by the work of talented West Virginia quilters, hanging in the Great Hall during the 48th Annual Vandalia Gathering in 2025.
Linda Shafer of Duck, Braxton County, stands before her quilt hanging in the Great Hall of the Culture Center. Her quilt received first place in the mixed/other category, as well as Best of Show.
“Wreath Quilt” First place, mixed/other and Best of Show by Linda Shafer of Duck, Braxton County.
“Autumn Chain” Third Place, mixed/other by Joni Hoffman of Duck, Braxton County.
“Orange on Parade” Second place, mixed/other by Jeanie Brown of Summersville, Nicholas County.
“Jaipur” First place, wall hanging and NACQJ Award of Merit by Amy Pabst of Huntington, Cabell County.
“The Ruins” at Wine Cellar Park Second place, wall hanging by Beverly and Bill Javins of Charleston, Kanawha County.
“Butterflies” Third place, wall hanging by Jeanie Brown of Summersville, Nicholas County.
“Vintage Compass” First place, pieced. Rhonda Braham of Independence, Preston County.
“Drunkard’s Path” Second place, pieced by Michael Brown of Summersville, Nicholas County.
“Beauty on the Beach” Third place, pieced by Susan Brooks of Hillsboro, Pocahontas County.
The Highland Lassies demonstrate at the 48th Annual Vandalia Gathering.
“Reed’s Flower Garden” First place, applique by Nancy Holdsworth of New Cumberland, Hancock County.
“Thistle Thicket” Second place, applique by Linda Dotson Vaughan of Caldwell, Greenbrier County.
“Sara’s Garden” Third place, applique by Sara Matheney of Charleston, Kanawha County.
2025 National Certified Quilt Judge Mary Zesiger shares quilting advice with a fellow quilter at the workshop she taught.
“Pieceful Sampler” Honorable Mention by Geneal Bailey of LeRoy, Jackson County.
“Wolf Abstractions” Honorable Mention by Erin Henderson of Fairmont, Marion County. Longarm Quilter: Cathy Henderson

The 49th Vandalia Gathering will take place on the West Virginia Capitol Grounds May 22-24, 2026. It is a public event and free to attend.

Laiken Blankenship

is the current editor of GOLDENSEAL magazine.
    Citation:
    Blankenship, Laiken. "A Look Back at the 44th West Virginia Quilt and Wall Hanging Juried Exhibition." Goldenseal West Virginia Traditional Life, Spring 2026. https://goldenseal.wvculture.org/a-look-back-at-the-44th-west-virginia-quilt-and-wall-hanging-juried-exhibition/
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