Each year since 1988, Mississippi Cultural Crossroads has organized a quilt contest and show to celebrate the best quilts being produced in the Mississippi folk tradition. It is always in the Spring, and in recent years has been scheduled to open the same weekend as the Port Gibson Heritage Festival (usually the last weekend in March).

An important feature of "Pieces and Strings" is our determination to have both European-American and African-American quilts displayed and honored side by side.

Our many visitors can see for themselves the differences and similarities, and why both traditions are to be treasured and rewarded.

First, second, and third place prizes are offered in a wide variety of categories in addition to prizes for best of show (the Shaifer Prize) and for best traditional pattern (the Newlin Prize). In its first 15 years, "Pieces and Strings" had distributed nearly $12,000 in prize money.

Pieces and Strings

The competition is open to Mississippi quilters, whether they currently reside in Mississippi or not. Quilts may be submitted for sale or only for competition and display. The quilts are judged by recognized quilt experts and a public awards ceremony is held on Thursday afternoon to mark the official opening of the show. Quilts are expected to hang in the gallery at Mississippi Cultural Crossroads through the month of April.

As a special incentive, winning quilts from "Pieces and Strings" will hang in the Atrium Gallery of the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson during the months of May and June, where they will be seen by all the visitors to the museum's summer exhibits.

For complete information about this year's "Pieces and Strings" please download the Pieces and Strings Flyer, which is suitable for printing.

If you would like to enter one or more quilts in this year's "Pieces and Strings," please download the Information Sheet and Acceptance Instructions, which includes a registration form.