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Wednesday, July 8, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper “Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show”
Becoming a Friend of the Show
By Katy Yoder
Correspondent
To provide free admis-
sion to the Sisters Outdoor
Quilt Show, SOQS orga-
nizers depend on business
sponsors, quilt sales, dona-
tions and their membership,
Friends of the Show.
SOQS
Executive
Director Dawn Boyd says
the membership is like
being an Oregon Public
Broadcasting supporter: “It’s
a way for people to feel more
deeply involved in support-
ing the show.”
Membership levels offer
a richer connection with
SOQS and ways to sup-
port the annual quilt show
and participating businesses.
Membership underwrites
programs and events cre-
ated to expand partnerships
with the community. There’s
a diverse group of seasoned
and budding quilters, all
interested in learning, being
inspired, and continuing
quilting history that began
in ancient Egypt.
Annual memberships
offer entry points for all
kinds of budgets, starting at
the $50 Sawtooth Star on
up to the $1,000 Lone Star
membership. You can join
any time of the year. Each
category offers discounts at
participating quilt stores and
free admission to quilt muse-
ums. Benefits are numerous
and are best explored on the
SOQS website. (SOQS.org)
Organizers appreciate and
welcome general donations
as well.
Continuing a huge annual
event that’s always been and
will remain free to the public
takes an ongoing investment
and participation by those
who value what SOQS has
been doing for the past 45
years.
Joining now will ensure
SO Q S c on ti n u e s a n d
enriches opportunities for
quilters and those who
appreciate the art form. The
membership card offers
access to discounts for other
shows along the western
U.S. and museums like the
National Quilt Museum in
Paducah, Kentucky, or the
Latimer Quilt & Textile
Center in T il lamook,
Oregon. Quilt shops from
Danville, California, to
Reardon, Washington, and
throughout Oregon offer
15 percent off purchases for
qualifying SOQS members.
There’s a list of participating
businesses and museums on
the website. Contact them
directly to find out how
much you can save.
A member since 2010,
Kathy Miller has enjoyed
watching what goes on
throughout the year in
preparation of the Sisters
Outdoor Quilt Show, espe-
cially the day of the show.
“To support that kind
of community involvement
and activity is something I
love doing,” said Miller from
her home in Pacific Grove.
“Sisters is such a wonderful
place with many commu-
nity-building events. What
Jean Wells grew so long ago
is another example of what
makes Sisters special. I wish
more places would emu-
late it. Having a free event
that promotes art and love
all over town lifts every-
one. Everybody should be a
friend of the show. Seeing
what the people of Sisters
put together is amazing! We
aren’t having a quilt show
this year, but I can’t wait to
see how Dawn Boyd, the
SOQS board and her vol-
unteers pull together some-
thing virtually wonderful.”
Louise Warren lives in
McMinnville and has been
coming to the show for 20
years. To support SOQS,
PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK
“Friends of the Show” receive notification of online availability of annual
Quilter’s Affair class information, among other benefits.
she has donated during the
show and often had quilts
hanging. This year she
decided it would be a great
time to become a member
and contribute that way. She
is excited to take advantage
of membership benefits. “In
past years I’ve gone with
friends who used their mem-
bership perks. Once stores
and museums are reopened,
I’ll check to see where my
membership is good and
will target those places as
much as I can,” said Warren.
“It shows all of us that it’s
worthwhile to support the
show.”
Through social media
efforts, Friends of the Show
membership is growing.
As SOQS gets the word
out about this great way to
support quilting in all its
variations, they’re ensur-
ing the event will persevere
and flourish with wide sup-
port. Boyd suggests joining
through the SOQS website.
It’s the easiest and best way
to get on board. “If you’d
prefer not going through the
website you can join by con-
tacting the office,” said Boyd.
“For some, we know going
online can be a bit daunting.
We understand some people
prefer talking on the phone
or visiting the office at 220
S. Ash St., Ste. 4, in Sisters.”
The SOQS phone number
is 541-549-0989 and their
email address is admin@
soqs.org. Boyd and her faith-
ful volunteers look forward
to adding new members into
the fold.
SOQS
Sponso
r