Shelburne area quilter, Hope Johnson, has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2010 American Quilter's Society (AQS) Quilt Show and Contest, April 21-24 at the Paducah Expo Center in Paducah, Ky.

Johnson's quilt, entitled, "Honey I'm Home," was chosen to be displayed in the 26th annual contest along with 386 other quilts. Three quilting authorities will judge this elite group in Paducah, awarding first, second, and third place prizes in 15 categories, along with nine overall awards. Winners will be announced at the awards presentation that takes place at the Carson Four Rivers Center in Paducah at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20. Cash awards totaling $120,000 will be granted, with prizes including $20,000 for the Janome Best of Show; $12,000 for the Gammill for the BERNINA Machine Workmanship, and $5,000 for the Moda Best Wall Quilt. Regardless of how "Honey, I'm Home" places in the final judging, all semifinalists' quilts will be displayed at the show, which is expected to draw more than 30,000 people.

Johnson's quilt, "Honey, I'm Home" won the Governor's Award in 2009. The quilt was sold to a Shelburne resident last fall with the arrangement that the quilt could still be shown.
AQS Founder and President Meredith Schroeder says, "It is always exciting to see how quilt makers create such beauty using fiber and thread. The quilts in this 26th annual show exemplify excellent use of color and variety of quilting techniques by hand and machine."
Quilts were entered in this international contest from 47 U.S. states and 10 other countries. The quilt artists employ a wide variety of techniques and design methods ranging from traditional pieced patterns to original painted and embellished motifs.

AQS hosts four shows annually, each with its own quilt contest. Besides the original Paducah show, AQS hosts other prestigious shows in Knoxville, Tenn.; Des Moines, Iowa, and the newest location, Lancaster, Penn. For more information, go to www.americanquilter.com.