AUBURN -- Jonathan Holstein is a different sort of Renaissance Man.

In 1971, Holstein, of Cazenovia, assembled numerous quilts that made up an exhibit called "Abstract Design in American Quilts" which premiered at the Whitney Museum of American Art, in New York City.

The exhibit was a smashing success and scholars believe the show was largely responsible for a "quilting renaissance" that has occurred in the years since.

Holstein was one of three jurors who judged entries in the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center's 26th annual "Quilts = Art = Quilts" exhibit, which opened this past weekend.

The festivities began Saturday night, when the center held a preview reception and awards presentation. The grand opening continued on Sunday with an open house, walkabout tours led by Schweinfurth executive director Donna Lamb, and a lecture by Holstein.

"The quilts we feature in this show just get more and more artistic every year," said Stephanie Schuster, the Schweinfurth's assistant director.

For more, read Monday's Citizen