Local quilters take art form to a new high

A quilt from the past meant warmth on a cold night, but it also provided beauty to the family member on whose bed it resided, a beauty achieved during a time when that family’s foremost thoughts were to survive through the difficult winters. And while quilts belonged to that bygone era, because of their wonderful colors and designs, they have evolved into a new and appealing art form. Today they hang on the walls of corporate offices, hospitals, churches, art galleries, and homes.

The upcoming art show at the Prairie Art Center, “Quilts: Then and Now,” showcases a new variation of quilt art that might take the soft comfort out of quilting, but maintains all of the beauty and tradition. The month-long exhibit in the PAC gallery features this style of quilt art done on wood for placement on barns. Several quilters in the Princeton area are working on this project which currently can be found in 24 locations in Bureau County.

The barn quilt art will include either the quilter’s own designs or the designs of other quilters. Typically, they are either 8-foot-square or 4-foot-square wooden blocks. Designed with colorful and tradi-tional patterns, the blocks are hand-painted using durable exterior paint for year-round display, and then mounted on historic barns.

This new take on the quilting tradition and artistry of yesteryear is designed to invite visitors to venture off the beaten path and explore Bureau County’s scenic countryside. A tourist map guide is available to direct you to all 24 barn quilt sites.

Please join us at our opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 1, at the Prairie Arts Center, 24 Park Avenue East in Princeton and meet the artists of these magnificent works of art. The exhibit will continue through August 24 during normal gallery hours.