N. A. Noel Painting and Quilt Show at The Sanctuary

I had to the opportunity this past weekend to visit The Sanctuary, a gallery (in Zionsville, IN) that contains the work of the artist N. A. Noel. Also, there are approximately 100 quilts on display in the gallery through the month of August. The exhibit of both quilts and paintings is fabulous. RUN DON’T WALK TO THIS EXHIBIT!

The quilts are mostly antique traditional quilts, and many of the paintings include quilts. During this month, any painting/print that contains a quilt is 20% off the original price. I just fell in love with the gallery itself. It is in an old church building and is just stunning--a wonderful setting for the artwork. I obtained permission to post pictures of the quilt exhibit and paintings, but if you get a chance to go see it DO NOT MISS IT. Be sure to take the tour. Someone speaks about the paintings, and the day we were there they had someone speaking about the quilts. It was VERY informative and enjoyable.

I hope you enjoy the picture, and don't forget that you can click on the picture to get a closer look...

This is a painting...I know, I know, it looks like a real quilt. The quilt that was used for the backdrop of this painting was made by the woman who spoke about the quilts during our tour. The painting is called "Touched." The actual quilt is on display downstairs in The Sanctuary giftshop.

This is the main room of the gallery. Notice all the quilts placed throughout the room. The lighting on the paintings makes them look like they glow from within. You might think they actually do after you hear the stories of the paintings during the tour. Each of the paintings has a story just like there is a story behind most of our quilts.

You can see part of the "Touched" painting in this photograph. There is a quilt in a quilting frame, a Grandmother's Flower Garden, a Modified Nine Patch, and a couple of other quilts in this picture.

This antique Postage Stamp quilt is situated below a painting of an Amish girl and boy. Many of Nancy's (N. A. Noel's) paintings contain an Amish subject.

This Log Cabin quilt's colors coordinates with the colors in the painting above.

There are also many paintings that include animals (dogs, deer, horses, bulls, and llamas) and/or children. Quilts are draped over every door in the gallery.

There were miniature quilts on the doors outside the gift shop.

This Bear Paw quilt was draped over a door next the the painting of another Amish child.

A beautiful stained glass window serves as the backdrop for this display in a nook of the main room of The Sanctuary gallery. Several quilts are displayed on the table.

This is a view from the main room looking up to the balcony. Notice the purple quilt hanging over the door and the brown quilt (with tiny pieces) hanging over the railing.

I didn't mention it, but I should...there is a restaurant inside the gallery. It is called Ghyslain after the French Chef who, among other things, makes the French pastries and hand-painted chocolates that are served there. Be sure to make reservations for the restaurant or you might not get a seat. The food/desserts are indescribably delicious. I had quiche Lorraine and a Greek pasta salad; even the "regular" food is artfully prepared...

The picture below is of the stained glass windows in the restaurant portion of the building.

Look for The Sanctuary in Zionsville, IN; this is the building...

I have more pictures, but I think you get the idea. If you want more information about this particular quilt exhibit, check out the notation about it on the right-hand side of my blog under "UPCOMING QUILTING/FIBER ARTS EVENTS," or click here http://www.nanoel.com/index.php.