Compiled by Historian Pat Lee
The Beginning of GSQA
Although I can find no documentation, I do remember attending a quilt show and seminar held in 1983 at the Sheraton Hotel on Veterans Blvd., in Kenner, LA. This is where Marion gave me a list of ladies who might want to form a chapter. Thus, Cotton Pickin’ Quilters Guild was formed.
The organization was incorporated under Louisiana State Article of Incorporation issued January 17, 1984.
The association was organized after the 1982 National Quilting Association show at DeLaSalle High School in New Orleans as an outgrowth of the (NQA) as what was to be known as Region III, or the Gulf States Region.
“The purpose is to create, stimulate and perpetuate that art form brought to America by the colonists and which has spread to all corners of our country. Interest in our early heritage has continued to grow and Gulf States Quilting Association (GSQA) plans through its shows, seminars, lectures and workshops to continue to promote this growth.”
There seems to have been some problems with the NQA Regions. The GSQA board and NQA began questioning the usefulness of the regions. After some exchange of correspondence, in April of 1986 the National Quilting Association sent three representatives (Paul McDade, Vice President; Helen Thompson. Show Judges’ Chrp.; and Judy Elwood, Masters’ Guild Chrp.) to a board meeting of GSQA to exchange information about development of the regions and the communication problems that therein exist. The NQA called a meeting of the GSQA general membership for April 5, 1986 to discuss the matter. In September of 1986 NQA wrote to GSQA advising that they would divest itself of a structure for regions. Thus, GSQA became our own separate organization, but still a chapter of NQA.
There have only been 11 presidents.
The organization was officially formed in January 1984 with Marion Maerke as the President until September, 1988 when Kay Elmore was elected. Followed by Carol Schiaffino, 1990, Beverly Gary, 1993, Syble Sartin, 1995; Barbara Skinner, 1998; Judy Jensen, 1999, Charlotte Jackson, 2000, Mary Rich, 2001, Yvette Magee, 2002; Jennifer Fernandez, 2003; Paula McKenna, 2004; Ilaine Hartman, 2005 and 2006, Joan Knight for 2007, and Jane Ramee for 2008. Bonnie Foto is pesident-elect for 2009.
It was only in 1998 that we began electing Presidents yearly, rather than have them serve for several years. We currently elect a President-Elect, who serves in that position for one year, then automatically becomes President, then retires to the position of Past President. This gives that person three years on the Board of Directors, unless he or she chooses to run for another office or is appointed to chair a committee if there is an opening.
Show History
Our first show was actually held in 1983 – just before the official organization of GSQA. It was held in connection with a seminar at a hotel in Kenner on Veterans Blvd. This show and seminar served as an organizational tool to form GSQA and was very successful.
Our first “official GSQA” show was held in 1985. The 1985 show also included a seminar. Listed below are the show dates, locations, and themes of all nine shows:
June 7-9, 1985 Bellmont Hotel, Baton Rouge La Fete’ de Piquage
October 9-11, 1987 Landmark Hotel, Metairie Quilts and All That Jazz
September 22-24, 1989 Convention Hall, Alexandria Quilting At The Crossroads
June 28-30, 1991 Civic Center, Lake Charles Quilts, Cuttin’ Up Cajun Style
September 24-26, 1993 Landmark Hotel, Metairie The Heart of Quilting
August 25-27, 1995 Landmark Hotel, Metairie Baskets & Butterflies
September 12-14, 1997 Landmark Hotel, Metairie Flowers In My Garden
September 17-19, 1999 Pontchartrain Center, Kenner Log Cabin, Southern Style
September 28-30, 2001 Pontchartrain Center, Kenner Stars of The Millennium
NOTE: I am trying to collect pictures of all nine Opportunity Quilts. We have the color flyers on the last three shows, but I can’t find anything showing what the other five quilts looked like. Having pictures of previous Opportunity Quilts is a great aid to our committee planning future Opportunity Quilts. If you have a picture you’d like to send me, we can make a copy and return the picture to you. Thanks for your help.
Q: How many Membership Directors has GSQA had?
A: Only 6: Donnis Adams, Deeann Fuglaar, Linda Jones, Fran Fletcher, Rhonda Smith,and Therese Springer. Most of these ladies served for several terms. We owe them a great thank you because this job is very important to GSQA and involves a lot of work on their part.