27-29 July 2012
I was very lucky to be able to attend the 1st IQCAfrica last July in Johannesburg.
I must say that for a first show, it was a very big success. I was really amazed by the wonderful organisation, the availability and generosity of the organizers.
The convention took place at the Emperors’ Palace, a quite large Casino resort next to the airport. Hotels were at walking distance, a large food hall downstairs and exhibition and merchant halls on the main floor, everything was at our hand.
Over 4 000 visitors were very enthusiastic and promised to come back next year with some
friends.
On the exhibition side, there were 6 beautiful exhibitions on different themes; all of them have been very much appreciated by the public. I liked very much to see the variety of trends and how much South African quilters are interested by the artistic side of quilting and how much they tend to innovate usding their imagination and creativity. It was also very nice to see the works of the faculty coming from South Africa but also from the United States as well as the finalists of the 2011 EPM international contest; visitors were very happy to discover the existence of the through these quilts.
The class rooms were very nicely decorated, coffee, tea and French pastries offered to the participants, well renowned teachers, everything was there to make the participants happy!
The pictures we are showing here correspond the various exhibitions. If we don’t show you any of the EPM international contest, it is simply because we assume that you already had the opportunity to see many of them.
South Africa is a very beautiful country to visit by all means and I strongly recommend all of you to think about organising a tour during the next IQCAfrica. Please note that the 2013 convention will take place in September (6-8) and that the guest of honour will be Ricky Tims!
I just would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Leon van Vuuren, Owen and Sharon Calverley as well as their family and friends for what they have achieved and hope to see them soon.
Owen, Sharon and Leon will be attending the European Patchwork Meeting next September as they are bringing the South African contest “Dreams” to Rombach.
Gul Laporte