![]() * NQA - The National Quilting Association, Inc. It’s wonderful to know Ocean Waves is still growing and stronger than ever after all these years! Diane Powers Harris, Ocean Waves Chapter, NQA Founder Through those formative years, Ocean Waves hosted workshops taught by “name” quilters, offered relaxing and elegant quilt retreats, held annual judged quilt shows, provided prize/grant funds to promising young quiltmakers, and commenced the annual Installation Dinner which became the Installation Luncheon. Several hundred wonderful quilts were documented, many with marvelous stories about them and their makers.īy the end of 1985, charter membership was at 100 and by the conclusion of 1986, the roster rose to 200 active members. During 1986, organized by Diane and Amy Goodhart, the guild held 10 “Discovery Days” throughout Dade County. Some of which were the guild lending library, collaborating with The Harvest Festival on their annual quilt competition, the much anticipated recognition and award for Quilter of the Year, and participation in the **Florida Quilt Heritage Project based in Tallahassee. Hartman was another eagerly anticipated monthly feature. Original quilt block designs created by Marie J. ![]() One regular feature was the column “Ask Irene” where, from a judge’s perspective, she addressed many questions related to quilt making. As mentioned, the monthly newsletter, Ocean Waves News had been created which was filled with articles of interest. ![]() Entries were judged by innovative local quilter Karen Grier who selected the logo designed by Vita Marie Lovett which is still in use today.ĭuring that organizational year much ground work was laid providing direction for many aspects still in place today. Next, the guild needed a logo, so a contest was initiated. Thus was born the Ocean Waves Chapter, NQA #296. An application for charter into NQA was immediately mailed and accepted. At the March meeting the name was voted on. The guild name was discussed with several suggestions submitted and Diane was asked to take on the position of President with latitude to select the remaining officers. By the February meeting, a “permanent” location had been found. To keep everyone informed, a newsletter commenced. It was attended by 35 enthusiastic and excited women eager to create a local quilt guild. That first meeting of what was to be the Ocean Waves Chapter, NQA, now known as the Ocean Waves Quilt Guild, was held at the West Dade Regional Library on the 2nd Saturday in January 1985. Not knowing anything about gathering interested people together or even how to run a meeting, Diane found a meeting location, scheduled a date and time, and placed an ad in the Miami Herald. One day she told Diane the time had come to make this dream a reality and that she should take on the project. Long wanting an NQA Chapter in Miami, Irene had discussed this with Diane. Irene McLaren ,Miami quilter, quilt instructor, and *NQA Certified Judge, became friends with and mentor to Diane Powers Harris. Ocean Waves Quilt Guild - The Early History ![]()
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