Spring/Summer Exhibits Celebrate a Special U.S. Birthday, Presidents, & the Refurbishing Work of Teresa Wong!
LA GRANGE, TEXAS—April 29, 2026—The Texas Quilt Museum focuses on history and honor with their spring/summer exhibits. They include the juried exhibit My America…What It Means to Me to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday; Hooked On Presidents, which features hand-hooked rug portraits of U.S. leaders; and Old Quilts Made New, a passion project for Teresa Wong. They will be on display April 30-August 29, 2026.
My America…What It Means to Me celebrates the enduring story of our nation through the powerful language of fiber. This exhibition of 21 works invites viewers to experience America as seen, felt, and remembered by quiltmakers from across the country.
The quilts in this exhibition reflect personal and collective interpretations of America—its triumphs and challenges, its joys and sacrifices. Through imagery and stitch, artists explore ideas of freedom, home, family, land, and history, offering deeply individual perspectives that together form a rich and nuanced portrait of our nation. Partial sponsorship provided by Reynolds & Associates PLLC.
What is Freedom? (40" x 52") by Luana Rubin
Both antique and contemporary works are featured, embracing all techniques and origins. Unified not by style or era but by meaning, these quilts honor the diverse ways Americans express identity, memory, and belonging. This is a conversation in cloth, inviting reflection on who we are, where we have been, and how the fabric of our shared story continues to evolve.
Warren Harding by Nola Heidbreder and Linda Pietz
Hooked on Presidents brings American history to life—one loop at a time. This remarkable exhibition features 44 hand-hooked rug portraits of U.S. Presidents, created by acclaimed sister artists Nola Heidbreder and Linda Pietz. It offers a fresh, engaging approach to presidential portraiture through the traditional folk art of rug hooking.
Each portrait goes beyond likeness, weaving in symbolic “fun facts” and personal details that humanize the presidents and invite viewers of all ages into the story. Designed by Pietz and meticulously hand-hooked by Heidbreder, the rugs combine historical research, artistic wit, and extraordinary craftsmanship—all rendered in wool with rich color and texture.
Race to Veracruz (75” x 85”) by Teresa Duryea Wong and an unknown artist
And finally, Old Quilts Made New celebrates the quiet transformation of the unfinished and the forgotten. Quiltmaker, author, and historian Teresa Duryea Wong brings new life to 20 exquisite antique quilt tops, completing works that were begun generations ago but never finished. Rooted in a no-waste, preservation-minded approach, this project honors the labor, materials, and intentions of the original makers while extending their legacy into the present.
Each antique top is carefully stitched on a modern longarm quilting machine using hand-guided, free-motion techniques—no computers, no automation. Wong’s sensitive quilting enhances the original piecing without overpowering it, allowing the historic fabrics and patterns to remain at the forefront. Her stitches act as a gentle conversation across time, bridging past and present through thoughtful craftsmanship.
While the names and stories of the original quiltmakers have been lost, Wong believes deeply that “Every quilt deserves a story.” Partial sponsorship provided by the Lucille Gaebler Klein Fund.
“This exhibit is a perfect example not only of interesting quilts, but of family connections. I love to see how she determines and names the quilts after her family members. Be sure to read the labels for each quilt,” says Museum Curator Vicki C. Mangum.