The Quilters Hall of Fame in Marion, Indiana held their latest celebration July 18-20, 2024, featuring the induction of their newest honoree, Katie Pasquini Masopust.
Since Katie first began quilting in 1978, her creativity and sense of design and color have been a moving force in the contemporary field of quilt making.
Katie joined the SAQA Board in 1999, was SAQA’s 2nd President, and served for 7 years from 2000-2007.
Katie led the Board through a challenging period of growth by expanding our membership (she still holds the record for signing up 77 new members during a four-day period at the Houston International Quilt Festival).
Katie was instrumental in finding new donors, recruiting new sponsors, starting an annual conference, and creating a new website.
Katie was part of the Board that hired our current Executive Director, Martha Sielman. Martha states, “Katie was one of my quilting heroes, so getting to work with her was a dream come true.”
One of Katie’s greatest strengths is her outgoing nature. For more than 45 years, Katie has traveled the world as a quilt ambassador and an incredibly popular and sold-out teacher for thousands of quilters, both in person and online.
She is dedicated to her craft, inspiring, delightfully exuberant, and so entertaining!
Highlights of Katie’s achievements and contributions to the world of quilting:
- President of SAQA for 7 years
- Board Member at National Quilt Museum (4 years)
- Organizer of the long-running prestigious Alegre Retreat (29 years)
- Author of 10 major quilt books
- Instructor in 5 DVDs published by I Quilt and C&T Publishing
- Frequent guest on a variety of shows, including Carol Duvall show, Quilting Arts TV, and TheQuiltShow.com
- Creator of fabric lines for Marcus Brothers and now Free Spirit Fabrics
- Best of Show Award at IQF-Houston 1982 and 1986
- Penny Nil Award for Excellence at Quilt Visions 1991
- Best of Show Award at the Pacific International Quilt Show 1994
- 1st and 2nd place winner at AQS 1995
- People’s Choice Award at Quilt National 1991
- Her work, “Rio Hondo,” was chosen as one of the Best Quilts of the 20th Century 2000
- Silver Star Award Winner at IQF-Houston 2005
- Visions Award 2006
- Juror at Quilt National 2009
- Quilt National Quilts Japan Prize award 2011
- Quilt Legend of the Year—The Quilt Show 2017
- Best of Show and Honorable Mention at the Redwood Empire Annual Art Show 2021
- Best of Show at Redwood Art Association Focus On Fiber 2021 and 2023
- International Quilt Museum, Lincoln, Nebraska adds and continues to add pieces of her work to its collection
- Quilters Hall of Fame induction 2024
On behalf of our entire SAQA Board and community, we celebrate the incredibly talented artist, Katie Pasquini Masopust. We are so proud of our Katie!
Susie Goodman
SAQA Board Member
As part of the Quilters Hall of Fame Celebrations, honoree Katie Pasquini Masopust led gallery tours of her work.
Her technique is impeccable and shows her mastery of color. She is a creative genius. The stories and inspiration associated with the quilts were fascinating. Her latest work, using only black, white, and salmon colors, depicts a lily inspired by a photograph taken on a recent trip to Japan. It seemed to glow!
During a luncheon at the Lyric Event Center, Katie provided a lecture presentation that was intimate, engaging, and memorable. It was a delight to see Katie and her family and friends celebrate together with our SAQA and quilting community.
At the induction ceremony on Saturday evening, Katie received her medal and awards, expressed her gratitude, and delighted the audience with her comments.
Several members of the audience spoke and shared special memories. This included Quilters Hall of Fame representatives, a SAQA Board member, former and current students, friends, and even family.
Katie had a large group of family and friends who traveled with her to celebrate this honor. She is loved by all. It was so rewarding to hear how she has been such a positive force in so many lives. As her brother said, “You all know what a wonderful quilter Katie is. I’m here to say she’s an even better person than she is a quilter!”
In collaboration with the Quilters Hall of Fame Celebration honoring inductee Katie Pasquini Masopust, SAQA Indiana showcased 30 pieces of members' art at the Kennedy Art Center, 326 S Washington Street, Marion, IN.
This group exhibition showcases the art of quilting and its rich, diverse application as an art form.
The Kennedy Art Center is a beautiful new facility that hosts a design center and art gallery. On Saturday, July 20th, a meet-and-greet artist reception was held. The exhibit was well attended during the celebration and will be available for public viewing until September 14, 2024.
