As an exhibit-only quilt museum, we install new exhibits four times a year. Here the upcoming exhibits we’ve planned at this time, and be sure to check back as we continue to plan for the future.
In Flanders Field The Poppies Grow
April 7, 2026 – July 5, 2026
Cherrywoor Poppy Quilt Challenge & Quilts of Valor
Inspired by John McCrae’s timeless World War I poem In Flanders Fields, this powerful exhibit honors both remembrance and service. Visitors will experience the full impact of the Cherrywood Poppy Quilt Challenge, with all 225 quilts selected for this project—an extraordinary opportunity, as it is rare to see the entire collection displayed together.
Adding to the significance, the exhibit will feature several Quilts of Valor, created to comfort and honor veterans and service members. Winterset is proud to be the national headquarters of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, making this pairing especially meaningful. The Quilts of Valor motto, “Covering service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor,” will be displayed alongside the poem, deepening the connection between art, memory, and gratitude.
This exhibit offers a rare and moving look at how quilts carry stories of sacrifice, healing, and hope.
Iowa Quilt Museum Retrospective
July 7, 2026 through October 18, 2026
10 Year Anniversary Celebration
In 2026, the Iowa Quilt Museum will celebrate a decade of sharing the artistry, history, and heart of quilting with visitors from around the world. To mark this milestone, we are curating a special anniversary exhibition featuring quilts by artists who have exhibited with us over the past ten years.
This commemorative show will offer a beautiful look back—highlighting the creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship of the many quilters who have helped shape the museum’s story. From traditional to contemporary, from beloved classics to bold new visions, this exhibit will honor the makers who have filled our gallery with inspiration throughout our first decade.
We look forward to celebrating this remarkable milestone with you.