Local Quilters Draw Crowds, Fifty Two Works Showcased at Firehouse

The Del Rio Council for the Arts presented its annual quilters exhibit in November at the Firehouse Gallery, bringing 52 pieces by 14 local quilters to public view and drawing a strong local response. The exhibition, noted in mid November as entering its final days of display, included both sale and non sale items and showcased a wide range of styles and subjects that reflect Val Verde County life.

“Some of our quilters work all year on their projects, and we want to make sure they’re recognized for their art,” said Nancy O’Brien, DRCA executive director. The comment underlined the gallery’s role in promoting craft as both a creative pursuit and a source of community recognition. Works in the show ranged from playful cat motifs to a purple and gold quilt saluting San Felipe High School, illustrating how quilts can serve as personal statements and local symbols. “Quilting is truly an art that can be a snapshot of a region’s time and place,” O’Brien added.

Participants listed by the council included Tiffany Burrow, Sarah Castle, Cynthia Mckinney, Debbie Tarpley, Elsie Turbeville, Sylvia Smith, Judy Alackness, Mary Beeson, Pat Butterworth, Elizabeth Morales, Eva Vasquez, Nelda Vasquez, Alaina Sanchez, and Nataly Sanchez. The number of entrants and the volume of work on display provide a clear data point on local engagement with traditional arts this season, and the presence of sale items offered an immediate channel for artists to realize modest income from their work.

The Firehouse Gallery is located at 120 E. Garfield St. and maintains regular hours Tuesday through Friday 9 30 a.m. to 5 30 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with extended hours for First Fridays. The council also listed related upcoming programming including a Nutcracker Ballet and a new cooking class, signaling a broader calendar aimed at sustaining year round visitor interest.

For Val Verde County residents, the exhibit served both cultural and economic functions. It reinforced local identity through handcrafted art, supported artisans who invest long hours in their craft, and helped the Del Rio arts community maintain visibility that can feed into future programming and modest tourism activity.