Special program on Barn Quilts at Art Festival
A special program on the ever growing popularity of Barn Quilts will be presented at 1:00 in room 4 of the Grove Community Center during the Grove Springs Cultural District's Art Festival, October 20, 2018.
Barn quilts are square-shaped boards painted to resemble a quilt block and can be placed on the side of a barn, public buildings, businesses, homes and even boats. They have evolved into a rural development initiatives that boosts tourism.
The creation of barn quilts as a future tourist attraction for Grove is being initiated as one of the cultural district's projects 2018-19 projects. It will be on-going, not just a one year project. Originating in Appalachia in 2001, the barn quilt phenomenon is now present in nearly all 50 US states. Through the development and promotion of barn quilt trails, tourists have been encouraged to visit and explore rural communities. The creation of barn quilts in communities and schools has been effective in building social capital, celebrating community heritage, raising funds for schools, and teaching skills that combine science, math, and design.
Recia Garcia & Lynda Latta, OSU Extension Educators, are coming to the Art Festival from Woodward & Gage to discuss the importance of barn quilts and inspire us to celebrate our community's heritage through their creation. They led a workshop last October for the annual Oklahoma Arts Council conference and continue to promote the development of barn quilts throughout Oklahoma.
"They are full of enthusiasm for this project and have myriad ideas for the development of such art that can be adopted by many organizations in our community," said Suzanne Boles, coordinator for the cultural district activities. "Businesses in the cultural district have already expressed an interest in displaying barn quilts on or in their buildings. Redemption Implements will be the first to have an artist create one for their business. And the Brush & Palette Club is working on one as well. Since the Miami, Ok cultural district is currently creating barn quilts, perhaps the tourist "trail" can be extended in our corner of the state."
"We are excited to be the first business in Grove to create a barn quilt," says Stephanie Smith, owner of Redemption Implements. "We love supporting our town and the cultural district and we have an amazing location on the side of our building where it will be displayed."
"We hope that we can get boat owners excited about having small ones created for their boats," added Suzanne Boles. "This could lead to participation in some wonderful events for Grand Lake.
If you are interested in finding out more about this unique art form, there is no fee for the presentation on October 20. Seating is limited, however, to 55 people in that room at the Community Center so come early.