Six quilters’ work will be shown at the Cannon Beach Gallery exhibit, including Becky DeVries-Wong.

Long associated with homespun comfort, quilts can embody a means to chronicle personal narratives or history and they often can evoke the pleasure of remembering a loved one who created it.

Yet how many people consider quilts as works of art?

Cannon Beach Arts Association will attempt to elevate quilting as an art form with its upcoming exhibit, “Quilted Together,” on display at Cannon Beach Gallery beginning Friday.

“We try to highlight mediums that aren’t generally emphasized,” said Summer Peterson, the gallery’s director. “We want to elevate the art of quilting and celebrate these creators, who are certainly artists.”

A colorful array of creativity will be on display by quilters Becky DeVries-Wong, Joshua Pickens, Laurie Caplan, Patti McGregor and Chris Padlock, as well as stained glass artist Ken Fox.

“There are so many types of quilting,” said DeVries-Wong, who will be demonstrating various techniques of hand work at 4:30 p.m. Friday, on opening night.

The methods she will be showing are, she said, “a throwback to the 18th century,” and include English paper piecing, stamped quilt piecing, hand applique and Broderie Perse, or Persian embroidery.

“It’s all so much fun,” DeVries-Wong said. “I love looking at fabric and imagining what I might do with it. Besides the meticulous handwork of traditional pieces, I also do machine stitching.”

She said she’s also done fabric collages, needlework and fabric painting, that she sometimes quilts and sometimes doesn’t.

“I just love playing with color and patterns and the rhythm of sewing is so satisfying,” DeVries-Wong said.

“Now, in my ‘later years,’” she continued, laughing, “I like the camaraderie of working with a group and sharing ideas. The quilting community is so welcoming and fabric stores play a huge part where you can meet new friends and enjoy each other’s different styles.”

According to DeVries-Wong, interest in quilting seems to be growing with a new generation of younger quilters discovering computer programs where they can create individual designs.

Although quilting traditionally has been associated with women, a lot of men are getting into it, too. Some are intrigued with the technical aspects, the puzzle-solving of how all the pieces fit together.

“I’m anxious to see what’s coming together for the show,” DeVries-Wong added. “There are so many possibilities. I’m really looking forward to seeing friends and meeting the other artists to see what’s inspired them.”

‘Quilted Together’

‘Quilted Together’

An exhibit of quilts at Cannon Beach Gallery, 1064 Hemlock St., Cannon Beach

On view beginning Friday, gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

www.cannonbeacharts.org