MUNCY – Once again Muncy is the setting for the Muncy Historical Society’s annual Quilt Show. Slated for July 19-20, visitors will have the opportunity to view antique and contemporary quilts at the Quilt Show to be held at Muncy Elementary School, 125 New Street.

More than 150 stunning antique and new quilts will be displayed, representing virtually all styles. Now in its ninth year, the event is a showcase of spectacular hand and machine workmanship, appliqu and quilting techniques, reflecting the originality of the makers and their expertise with needle and thread, as well. Most of the antique quilts will be on display for the first time and will be accessorized with antique furnishings from both private and museum collections.

There will be a showcase exhibit of Oklahoma-based Judy Howard’s “God Bless America Touring Quilts” exhibit along with special exhibits from the museum’s Civil War Era collection.

The 2013 Quilt Challenge theme is to produce a quilt that has been inspired by, and reflects the work of, an artist working in another medium. Quilters are asked to consider the much-loved music of Bach, George Gershwin or the Beatles; to possibly interpret the color or design of Monet or Mondrian; and to translate as author’s work, such as A. A. Milne or Louisa May Alcott, with imagery.

The Clarkstown Messiah Lutheran Wednesday Quilters will demonstrate hand quilting and other special guild exhibits will be showcased.

A three-person panel will judge the quilt entries and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded in the Quilt Challenge, Appliqu, Other Techniques, Use of Color-Traditional, Use of Color-Contemporary, Hand Quilting, Domestic/Hand-Guided Machine Quilting, Computer-Guided Machine Quilting, Wall Hanging, and Under 16 categories. The judges will award only one winner for Best of Show, selected from all first-place winners, and a Best Original Design winner. Friday show attendees will nominate their personal favorite for the Viewer’s Choice award. Best of Show, Viewer’s Choice, Best Original Design and the 1st place Challenge winners will each receive a hand-crafted platter by Mark Robbins, a nationally-recognized artist known for his sculpturesque wood turnings.

The show activities have been selected to appeal to all ages and young people are encouraged to attend. This event is a glorious, colorful, educational and celebrated occasion.

Anyone wishing to exhibit a quilt from their private collection must complete a quilt show registration form, available by calling 546-5917 or online at www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org.

Check in for all pre-registered quilts, including “Challenge Quilts”, will be Sunday, July 14, from noon to 4 p.m., and Monday through Wednesday, July 15 -17, 9 a.m. to noon or earlier by advance appointment. Quilts should include a cloth label with the name of the quilt, the owner’s name and address sewn to the back of the entry. A 4-4 ” hanging sleeve should be affixed to the quilt. Quilt pick-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 20 from 4-5 p.m. or Monday, July 22 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the museum.

Pauline Fisher will conduct pre-scheduled appraisals on old or new quilts or tops, blocks, or quilted wearable art. It takes approximately 60 minutes to complete each appraisal, which includes time for consultation, a confidential written appraisal and a photo of the quilt. Fisher is certified by the American Quilters Society. She is a member of Professional Association of Appraisers of Quilted Textiles, American Quilt Study Group, Museum of American Quilters Society, and New England Quilt Museum.

Quilt appraisals will be held Friday, July 19, 10 a.m. 6 p.m., and Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Call 570-546-5917 to pre-register an appraisal.

A three-person panel will judge quilt entries before the show opens. Judges reserve the right to change a quilt’s category when another category seems more appropriate. Judges will examine all entries and base their opinions on content and design, message to the viewer, and workmanship.

Lana Miller, from Northumberland, PA, was last year’s challenge winner.