Kudos

On April, 21, Donna Sue Groves was honored by the Ohio Arts Council with a Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio. Winners were selected from nominations submitted by individuals and organizations throughout Ohio. A selection committee made up of members of the Ohio Arts Council board chooses the winners. Ms Groves' O.A.C. Bio is below:


COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PARTICIPATION,
Donna Sue Groves, Manchester

Donna Sue Groves has been the connector and spark that brings people, resources, and dreams together, building civic and community capacity at the grass roots level for over 40 years. Throughout Ohio, and especially in Appalachia, she has worked hand-in-hand with communities, building fruitful partnerships, and bringing resources to economically disadvantaged communities—giving them the skills, tools and networks needed to build successful arts business that stimulate local economies.

As coordinator of the Appalachian Arts Initiative from 1991-1999, Groves developed the first Directory of Appalachian Arts and Artists in Ohio. In her role as OAC Southern Ohio field representative from 2001-2008, she continued to grow the Directory and served a vital role in ongoing work with the artists and arts organizations in Appalachia. As a tireless leader and advocate for the arts and culture in Appalachia, her own strong Appalachian identity and passion for bringing recognition to underserved communities and individual artists is unmatched. Groves fights tirelessly to keep Appalachian Ohio in the public eye and in the minds of arts funders statewide—allowing startup groups and artists with limited resources to grow their audience, market their products and create economic opportunities based on their creative work. She has made it her personal mission to communicate both the cultural and economic value of the region to both its artists and the communities who help create a market for their work. This is a critical element in laying the groundwork for revenue-building, creative industries in isolated, economically depressed, Appalachian border communities.

Grove’s own vision took root in the Quilt Barn Project. Honoring her mother, she thought quilt square murals installed on barns would be a unique way for communities to emphasize and utilize local assets for economic development. What began in rural Adams County in 2001, now draws visitors from all over the country who drive and bike through the Ohio countryside enjoying quilt trails comprised of more than 500 murals in 21 counties. The Quilt Barn Project has become a cultural tourism phenomenon that now stretches across 26 states with 98 dedicated driving trails.

In 2004 Groves received the Jenco Foundation Inspirational Service Arts Award and was named an Outstanding Philanthropist by the Foundation for Appalachia Ohio. In 2006 Sinclair Community College awarded her the Wayne White, Unsung Hero Award.

Groves irrepressible spirit demonstrates each day that one person can make a difference sharing by her knowledge, vision, and love for the arts. She has built deep trust and collaboration in communities across the state and nation by living her motto of "giving people a hand up, not a hand out." Her ongoing collaborative work to celebrate and raise awareness of the unique gifts, talents and cultural traditions of Appalachian Ohio embody the very spirit of participation and community development.

I say, Well done Donna Sue... Well done!

Rock County, Wisconsin

It appears to be very early on for the Barn Quilts of Rock County Wisconsin. They have a web page hosted by the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension service.

The Rock County Barn Quilt Project has an informational brochure that states the following objectives:

* Promote rural heritage of Rock County
* Highlight the architecture and history of barns in the county through relevant quilt blocks
* Encourage economic development by promoting ag-tourism and local business
* Educate the public about the art and history of quilting
* Forming youth-adult partnerships to help teach all ages about the project and our heritage

.

A group of Rock County citizens have been working together to make The Barn Quilt Project reality. As you can see on the brochure the first barn quilt has been installed at the Rich & Shirley Templeton Farm in Evansville. Their family will be hosting the 2010 Rock County Dairy Breakfast on June 5th. Information about this project and how you can get involved will be available at this event and at the Rock County Porkfest on June 16 at the Rock County 4-H Fairgrounds.

If you have questions or would like to complete an application for a 8' x 8' Barn Quilt for your barn, complete the application below and contact one of the people listed below...
Ronna Morton-Ballmer, Janesville - 608-758-5112
Phil Woodworth, Evansville - 608-295-5112
Jeanette Beard, Milton - 608-868-4240

200 Years and counting

... currently under construction, but soon you will be able to explore the rich history and traditions of agriculture and quilting in Clinton County. Check back soon for an interactive on-line tour of the Clinton County Barn Quilt Trail, then download and print out Trail Map to tour Clinton County and enjoy the quilts surrounded by the beautiful Clinton County landscape.
.

Oh Canada !

.

There is this wonderful You Tube video of a quilt being painted... I have to share this. It is not a Barn Quilt (or a Quilt Barn), but a beautiful quilt done in a time lapse. Remember the name: Meghan Hildebrand, and visit: http://www.meghanhildebrand.com/

.

Video is here!

.

Imaginations = $1,000.00

Located in Fremont, Nebraska, is a company that many quilters know as Accuquilt, and they are a part of the larger AccuCut family of stores. Accuquilt has come up with a great promotion... a contest to select a quilt pattern for a 20' x 20' quilt block to be mounted on the company headquarters. That is 20 feet x 20 feet which would make this one of the largest, if not the largest barn quilt. The winner of this contest will receive $1,000.00 worth of Accuquilt merchandise, and a trip for two to Fremont. Complete contest rules can be found on their website: http://www.accuquilt.com/.


They are looking for images (.pdf, .jpg, .gif or .eps format), and there is a 2nd place, and 3rd place winner, so get out the crayons or Electric Quilt and sharpen your imagination. Entries must be received before midnight, May 14th.

the Golden State

The following are excerpts from the Lake County News (lakeconews.com), in Lakeport, California, and the picture (above) is the new quilt trail block at the Hill Creek ranch near Kelseyville, California. Photo by Richard Smith.

Kelseyville Pear Festival Committee launches new 'quilt trail'
Written by Vicky Parish Smith
Sunday, 25 April 2010

KELSEYVILLE – The Kelseyville Pear Festival Committee is adding a new dimension to this year's celebration – the Lake County Quilt Trail. On a drive along Highway 29 from Kelseyville to Lakeport, watch for a new and unique burst of color that now hangs on the Hill Creek Ranch barn amidst four and a half acres planted with winegrapes and 48 olive trees.

On Saturday, March 27, the committee marked the launch of the Lake County Quilt Trail by hanging a vibrant “quilt block” on the barn owned by Lou Ann Bauer, a San Francisco kitchen and bath designer who also owns and operates LuLu’s Ice Cream and Dessert Shop in downtown Kelseyville, and Nancy Yost, a San Francisco architect. The barn features the pattern “Square on Square” in bright red, white and blue. The pre-built 8-foot wooden square block was hand painted by Konocti Art Society member-artist Annette Higday. Framing and installation was provided by local craftsman/contractor Ben Mitten.

The Lake County Quilt Trail is the very first for the state of California. This Lake County project is part of the rapidly spreading National Quilt Trail throughout more than 24 states. Hill Creek Ranch is easily recognized along Highway 29. As you drive along be sure to look to the west and see the “quilt” block hanging on the barn. The metal animals in a rural, farm setting create a sense of history, creativity and folklore.

Marilyn Holdenried, the founder/chairman of the Kelseyville Pear Festival, discovered a grassroots movement that has quickly spread to over 24 states in the East, Midwest and South.

M'chwihilusing

The town of Wyalusing, Pennsylvania is situated near the mouth of the Wyalusing Creek on the Susquehanna River. The original town, called "M'chwihilusing," dates back several centuries. There is a Wyalusing Borough, that is part of the Wyalusing Township (also home to the Camptown Races), which is a part of Bradford County in the North East corner of the state.

The greater Wyalusing Chamber of Comerce is hosting a page for the Quilted Corners of Wyalusing Barn Quilt Tour, scheduled for May 1, 2010. There should be a map available, but I have not seen it. There is a real nice Video on the website.

go to:
http://www.wyalusing.net/barnquilt

go to:
Quilted Corners of Wyalusing,PA
.

Owen County, Ky

There is a new web site that has been set up (still under construction), for the Owen County (Kentucky) Quilt Trail. With over 70 Quilt Blocks listed (8' x 8' and 4' x 4'), I would say that they have been at this for a while. They have a Quilt Trail Book that can be purchased, and some nice (behind the scenes) pictures on their web site.

go to:

http://owencountyquilttrail.com/

.