There is sew much to sea
The Oregon Coast’s coziest event is back at the Newport Recreation Center, where the Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild will present its annual “Quilts by the Sea” show this Friday and Saturday, July 31 and Aug. 1.
The event showcases hundreds of quilts created by guild members from throughout Lincoln County and Oregon, along with special exhibits, vendors, demonstrations and opportunities for visitors to try their hand at quilting.
Among the highlights is the Veterans Quilt Project, which will present handmade quilts to six local military veterans.
Honored this year are Army veterans Jeff Johnson, Mark Seibert and Karun Olson, Navy veterans Samuel Brooks and Ross Standiford and Air Force veteran Butch Stout. A display of Veterans Quilt Project creations will greet visitors as they enter the show.
This year’s featured quilter is Linda MacKown, whose award-winning work has appeared at the Coos Art Museum, the Northwest Quilting Expo and the Pacific International Quilt Festival in California. Show entries will be judged by nationally accredited quilt judge Kathie Kerler, with ribbons awarded in multiple categories.
Visitors can browse the vendors mall, bid on handcrafted pieces in the silent auction, create a project in the creative corner and purchase quilts offered for sale by participating artists. The show will also feature the guild’s 2026 challenge quilts, inspired by the theme “America the Beautiful,” with entries celebrating national parks, monuments and scenic landmarks.
Raffle tickets will be available for the guild’s 2026 raffle quilt “Origami of the Sea,” pieced and quilted by Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild members. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5, and winners need not be present to claim the prize. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit a local charity.
The Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild includes more than 170 members dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of quilting through education, exhibitions and community outreach.
“Quilts by the Sea” runs from 9 am to 5 pm on Friday and 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday at the Newport Recreation Center, located at 225 SE Avery Street. Admission is $8, with free entry for children age 11 and younger. For more information, go to oregoncoastalquilters.org.