Valerie Funk of Osceola is a semifinalist for the 2013 AQS QuiltWeek, which is Oct. 2-5, in Des Moines at the Iowa Events Center.
Funk has been chosen to display the quilt “The End is Nothing — The Road is All,” along with 176 others in the annual contest.
First, second and third place prizes in five categories will be awarded, along with five overall awards, including best of show.
Winners will be announced at the show and posted on the AQS website www.americanquilter.com. More than $44,000 will be granted, including $10,000 for the best of show and $5,000 each for best hand, machine and longarm workmanship.
Regardless of how Funk’s quilt places in the final judging, all semifinalists’ quilts will be displayed at the show, which is expected to draw more than $15,000 people.
AQS Founder and President Meredith Schroeder said, “Extraordinary quilts are being made by today’s quilters, and the contest quilts represent an extensive variety of styles, sizes and techniques. Each quilt in the show is an intricate, creative work of art to enjoy.”
Quilts were entered in this international contest from 37 U.S. states and five other countries. A wide range of special-exhibit quilts include: Return of Stitch Like an Egyptian, Celebrating Quilts the Caohagan Way, The Silk Road Tour, Colorplay: International Quilt Challenge, Oh, Wow! Miniature Quilts from the National Quilt Museum, Appliqué Artistry by Patricia B. Campbell, Cow Stampede, MasterPieces: Quilts of Inspiration and the Modern Quilt Challenge.
American Quilter’s Society hosts four shows annually, each with its own quilt contest. Besides the Des Moines show, AQS hosts other shows in Paducah, Ky., Grand Rapids, Mich., and Lancaster, Penn. Three additional new AQS QuiltWeek events will be held in 2014 in Phoenix, Ariz., Charlotte, N.C., and Chattanooga, Tenn.
For more information, go to www.americanquilter.com.