(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - November 28, 2011) - - - Southern Middle Tennessee's own Wool Sisters, the most popular group exhibit in the 10 year history of The Pryor Art Gallery, will again display their artistry in The Pryor Art Gallery at Columbia State Community College from Dec. 1, 2011 through Jan. 31, 2012. String quilts featured in a newly published book, String Quilt Revival, by members Virginia Baker and Barbara Sanders, will be on display as well as a sampling of their famed hooked rugs. A reception and book signing will be held on Jan. 8, 2012 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. The public is invited to attend. A string quilting "how to" workshop is also planned for Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m., and Baker and Sanders will also provide a walking history tour of the quilts in the gallery on January 26 from 11 a.m. until noon.

"If you have never ventured into the Pryor Gallery, you must do so for this Wool Sisters' exhibit of gorgeous quilts, as well as hooked rugs, all made with love by a most creative group of ladies," stated Lucy Scott Kuykendall, Curator for The Pryor Art Gallery. "Envisioning their craft is one talent, but accomplishing it requires the attendant virtue of patience. Each sister has both," continued Kuykendall. "The best feature is that they all obviously have so much fun doing what they do." The Wool Sisters first exhibited at The Pryor Art Gallery in 2008 and was one of the most popular exhibits on record.

Locally known for their beautiful hooked rugs, Virginia Baker and Barbara Sanders decided to take on a new venture and revive the art of sting quilting learned from their grandmother, a native of Middle Tennessee, with a modern twist by incorporating newer materials and quilt products. "Our innovative string piecing method, using Sheer Delite, a no mesh stabilizer, does not require removal, as opposed to strings sewn on newspaper," said Baker and Sanders. The book has been endorsed by Nancy Zieman, creator of Create with Nancy and has been included in Zieman's highly successful sewing and quilting series.

"We hope viewers of the show will reminisce about the quilts of days gone by and that the younger audience will build an appreciation for the art of quilting," said Baker and Sanders. "Although many string quilts were made for utilitarian purposes, they were often works of art. Made from feed and flour sacks and worn pieces of clothing, they were made by hand and created with love. It is our deepest desire to create a fiber footprint of ourselves to be left behind as well as to encourage others to do the same."

Joining Baker and Sanders for the exhibit are fellow rug hookers Sue McClure, Sharon Reilly, Libby Moss, and Shelia Beasley who were "hooked" into quilting a few quilts with pattern names such as Cheddar Blue; It's Lemon, I Think; and Diamonds are Forever. All these ladies, their quilts and a few hooked rugs, as well as String Quilt Revival, will be featured in The Pryor Gallery at Columbia State, Dec. 1, 2011 through Jan. 31, 2012.

For more information on the reception, classes and or walking tour, please contact Lucy Scott Kuykendall at 931-540-2883.
The Pryor Art Gallery is located in the Waymon L. Hickman building on Columbia State's Columbia Campus. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and on Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The gallery is also open on weekends during special events. For more information on the events held in Pryor Art Gallery, call (931) 540-2883.