Special Exhibits at the OPQG Show

Route 66 2026 Centennial Celebration ART Quilt Project

We’re thrilled to bring the Route 66 2026 Centennial Celebration ART Quilt Project to our quilt show in honor of the 100th anniversary of Route 66. This traveling exhibit features 66 unique 24” x 24” fiber art quilts, each depicting a different attraction or location along the historic route. All eight Route 66 states are represented—from the beginning and end points to iconic roadside landmarks—inviting viewers to relive memories or dream of future travels. Completed in 2024, these quilts connect viewers to the spirit, stories, and adventures of America’s Main Street.

The exhibit was created by Art Bits STL, a group of art quilters who meet to share ideas and support one another in their artistic endeavors. Their work has been exhibited at local and national quilt shows and galleries, including the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, and most recently earned a Viewers’ Choice award at the Houston Quilt Festival.

The images below are a few of the quilts in this incredible exhibit.

The Patriotic Piecemakers are proud to present a powerful and moving Quilts of Valor® exhibit, spanning nearly 200 feet in the Vendor Hall of the OPQG Show. This inspiring display honors the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active-duty service members through the comforting embrace of a handmade quilt.

Patriotic Piecemakers work tirelessly to create and award Quilts of Valor as a heartfelt way to say “Thank you” to those who have selflessly given their time, talent, energy, dedication, and sacrifice in service to our country. Each quilt represents gratitude, healing, and recognition—stitched with care and intention.

This exhibit offers visitors a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the stories behind the quilts and the individuals who receive them. A video walking tour from a previous OPQG Show is available below, providing a glimpse into the impact and beauty of this ongoing mission.

Bloomington/Normal Modern MinisTraveling Art Quilt Exhibit

We’re pleased to feature the Bloomington/Normal Modern Quilt Guild (BNMQG) traveling modern mini exhibit at our show. Seen at local quilt shows and major events like QuiltCon, this exhibit includes eye-catching Kona Color Challenge quilts. Images below are from a previous exhibit.

Quilted Wearables: Where Quilting Meets Fashion

The Ozark Piecemakers Quilted Wearable Exhibit celebrates the exciting intersection of quilting and fashion, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of guild members who embraced the Quilted Wearable Challenge.

This challenge invited members to design and create an outer garment incorporating quilted fabric—from jackets, coats, vests, and ponchos to other imaginative wearable forms. Each piece reflects the maker’s unique style while pushing the boundaries of traditional quilting into the world of functional, wearable art.

These one-of-a-kind garments will make their debut on the runway during the Quilted Fashion Runway Show. Following the show, the wearables will be on display in the East Exhibit Hall, where visitors can admire the artistry, construction, and innovation up close.

Blending texture, color, and movement, this exhibit highlights how quilting continues to evolve—stitched not just for display, but for life in motion.

Dual Guild Member Challenges: Red, White, and Route 66

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary “Mother Road,” Route 66, and OPQG members are celebrating in a uniquely creative way. Honoring Springfield, Missouri—the official Birthplace of Route 66—this special exhibit features Route 66, a collection of original art quilts inspired by the history, culture, and spirit of America’s most iconic highway.

One of the nation’s first highways, Route 66 stretches from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Established in 1926 and decommissioned in 1985, the route became a powerful symbol of American travel, independence, and opportunity. In recognition of its historic role, Springfield, MO, was officially designated the Birthplace of Route 66 in 1992.

As part of the Route 66 Challenge, guild members were encouraged to explore the many stories along the road—its cities and countryside, automobiles and businesses, gas stations and signage, tourist destinations, and the constant movement of people and goods. The result is a vibrant exhibit of 20″ x 20″ art quilts that capture nostalgia, imagination, and the enduring legacy of Route 66.

This exhibit is sure to spark memories of classic roadside landmarks and celebrate the timeless allure of the open road—stitched one block at a time.

America’s Beauty: An Art Quilt Exhibit

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, members of the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild celebrate the spirit of the nation with America the Beautiful, a special art quilt exhibit honoring the land of the free and all its beauty.

Guild members were invited to interpret America’s beauty and freedom through their own creative lens—exploring themes such as scenery and landscapes, patriotism, daily life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Each piece reflects a personal response to what freedom means and how it is experienced across the country.

The result is a vibrant collection of art quilts, rich in color, meaning, and artistic expression. Together, these works form a powerful visual tribute to America’s past, present, and enduring ideals—stitched with pride, creativity, and heart. These quilts can by any shape and size with a perimeter not to exceed 180”.

Framed Quilt Art

The Framed Art category celebrates artistic expression through mixed media, with fiber as the primary element. Designed to be displayed on a wall, these pieces blur the line between traditional quilting and fine art.

Each work is created using the familiar layered format of top, batting, and backing, while allowing artists the freedom to explore texture, materials, and innovative techniques. The result is a collection of creative visual works that showcase fiber as a powerful and expressive art form.

 

 

Odyssey Art Quilt Group

Explore the artistry of the Odyssey Art Quilt Group through a special glass-case display of handcrafted, member-created art pieces. This exhibit celebrates innovative techniques and the joy of creative expression beyond traditional quilts.

Guild Small Group Displays

Our guild’s small groups are a vibrant part of our quilting community, bringing together members with shared interests to learn, create, and inspire. These groups explore new techniques, take on creative challenges, and work on both special projects and individual pieces. Their displays at the show will highlight the diversity of quilting styles, skills, and traditions, showcasing the unique artistry and camaraderie that make our guild so special. Groups displaying their talents may include, but are not limited to:
  • AccuQuilt Group
  • Baby Quilts
  • Community Quilts
  • English Paper Piecing
  • EQ8 Software Group
  • Featherweight
  • Modern Group
  • Quilt Odyssey
  • Patriotic Piecemakers – Quilts of Valor
  • Saturday Strippers
  • Sew Scrappy
  • Southwest Missouri Longarm Quilters
  • Turning Points Applique
  • Wooly Ladies

Community Outreach

Many Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild members participate in a variety of small groups dedicated to giving back through quilting, providing comfort and care to charitable organizations throughout our community and surrounding areas.

Community Quilts, our most active and popular outreach group, creates quilts in a range of sizes for organizations such as Ambassadors for Children, Crosslines, Ronald McDonald House, and many others. This group also makes comforting “Squad Car Quilts” for local police departments in Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, and nearby communities—quilts that offer warmth and reassurance during difficult moments.

The Baby Quilts section of Community Quilts produces nearly 500 small quilts each year for Newborns in Need, ensuring that infants receive handmade comfort at the very beginning of life.

The dedicated members of the Patriotic Piecemakers focus on honoring service members by creating and awarding Quilts of Valor to veterans in our area. Several times each year, this group hosts presentations at guild meetings, typically awarding quilts to approximately 20 veterans per event. They also conduct private and special presentations as circumstances allow, ensuring that quilts reach those who need them most.

Through these outreach efforts, guild members share not only their quilting talents but also compassion, gratitude, and a deep commitment to community service—one quilt at a time.

Photos of Community Outreach displays from previous shows are in the gallery below.