SONGS can challenge people to action.
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For the Ballaarat Quilters, songs of defiance have inspired them to sow the very idea of freedom into their work. And they've challenged quilters from across the country to do the same.
The Ballaarat Quilters have joined with the Museum of Australian Democracy for a Songs of Freedom - Celebrating Democracy competition and exhibition, with a first prize of $350. There are two other cash prizes for second and third along with a Director's Choice Award.
Quilters are asked to create a quilt which explores themes from one of five songs: Nyurra Wurriyn, Freedom Train, Ode to Joy, Lean on Me and Then and Now (a song commissioned last year by M.A.D.E to commemorate the Eureka rebellion's 160th anniversary).
Suzanne Lyle, coordinator of the Songs of Freedom - Celebrating Democracy project and a Ballaarat Quilters committee member, said the competition came out of a discussion about how best to celebrate the Ballaarat Quilters group's 20th anniversary.
"It was the committee's idea," Ms Lyle said.
"It is a national competition run from Ballarat. People are to make their quilts on their own. They just have to fulfil the criteria to enter."
There was a workshop on Saturday for Ballaarat Quilters members hosted by Melbourne textiles artist Fiona Crawford on how to put ideas into fabric ahead of the competition.
Criteria for the competition are as follows: each quilt must have its theme Songs of Freedom - Celebrating Democracy; entries must be based on one or more of the five songs; they can be traditional or contemporary in design and technique; have three distinct layers; they must be the sole work of the entrant; they must measure 40cm x 70cm in a portrait format; they can be any shape and be two-dimensional or three-dimensional; and, they must be received ready to hang or display.
An application to enter with a $10 fee must be received by Ballarat Quilters by August 21, with completed quilts to be sent by November 6.
The exhibit of the quilts will then run until February next year.
Entry to M.A.D.E is free for Ballarat residents. For more information go to www.made.org.
