Quilters present annual show at Newport Recreation Center on Friday and Saturday

By OREGON COAST TODAY

The Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild will present its annual “Quilts by the Sea” show at the Newport Recreation Center this Friday and Saturday, July 31 and Aug. 1.

The event showcases hundreds of quilts created by guild members from throughout Lincoln County and Oregon, along with special exhibits, vendors, demonstrations and opportunities for visitors to try their hand at quilting.

One of the highlights is the Veterans Quilt Project, with handmade quilts presented to six local military veterans. Army veterans Jeff Johnson, Mark Seibert and Karun Olson will be honored along with Navy veterans Samuel Brooks and Ross Standiford and Air Force veteran Butch Stout.

Their quilts will be displayed at at the entrance to the show, which features the work of Linda MacKown. Her award-winning pieces have been shown at the Coos Art Museum, the Northwest Quilting Expo and the Pacific International Quilt Festival in California.

Show entries will be judged by nationally accredited quilt judge Kathie Kerler, with ribbons awarded in multiple categories.

Visitors can bid on handcrafted pieces in a silent auction, create a project in the creative corner and purchase quilts offered for sale by participating artists. The show also will feature the guild’s 2026 challenge quilts, inspired by the theme “America the Beautiful,” with entries celebrating national parks, monuments and scenic landmarks.

The Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild includes more than 170 members dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of quilting through education, exhibitions and community outreach.

Raffle tickets will be available for the guild’s 2026 raffle quilt “Origami of the Sea,” pieced and quilted by guild members. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5, and winners do not have to be present to claim the prize. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit a local charity.

“Quilts by the Sea” runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Newport Recreation Center, located at 225 S.E. Avery Street. Admission is $8, with free entry for children age 11 and younger. For more information, go to oregoncoastalquilters.org.

For more arts and entertainment news, go to Oregon Coast TODAY.