The Kentucky Arts Council is assisting Kentucky quilt
trails groups in the marketing and promotion of quilt squares that are
popping up on barns, buildings, parks and tourist sites across the
commonwealth. The quilt squares are usually part of a quilt trail
developed for travelers' enjoyment and to celebrate family and local
heritage through the quilting tradition.
The Kentucky Arts Council has created a portal site to the many quilt
trail projects throughout the commonwealth. At this site,
www.artscouncil.ky.gov/QTrails/QTrails.htm
<http://www.artscouncil.ky.gov/QTrails/QTrails.htm> , you will find the
history of the quilt trails, interviews detailing the personal stories
behind particular quilt squares, interactive links to Kentucky quilt
trails by county, resources for Kentucky quilt trail groups and links to
quilt trails across the country. The site also introduces the book,
"Kentucky Quilt Trails: Visions and Voices."
Produced by the Kentucky Arts Council, "Kentucky Quilt Trails: Views and
Voices," features 32 beautiful pages of photographs and writings by
Kentucky's visual and literary artists with cover art by Emmy Houweling
and introduction by Silas House. Contributing writers are Annette Allen,
Normandi Ellis, Silas House Christina Lovin, Davis McCombs, Deborah
Reed-Downing, Joanne Seiff, Martha Bennett Stiles, Frank X. Walker and
Jeff Worley. The photographers featured are Matthew Albritton, Patricia
Brock, Ann W. Olson, Dinah Smiley, David Toczko, Ralph Tyree and Carole
Shutt. Alfredo Escobar and Gwenda Lynn Huff (Kentucky Folklife Program
Community Scholars) have also contributed to the book.
In October, the Kentucky Arts Council will host book release receptions
in cooperation with the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, the Kentucky
Folk Art Center in Morehead and the Museum of the American Quilter's
Society in Paducah. Each reception will have artists from the area who
have contributed to the project available to sign books. Local quilt
volunteers will also attend to share their experiences in creating quilt
squares and developing quilt trails. Light refreshments will be served
at each reception. The book release receptions are free and open to the
public.
"Kentucky Quilt Trails: Views and Voices" can be purchased for $9.95
through the arts council's Kentucky Quilt Trails Web site, at many
Kentucky State Park gift shops, the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea,
the Kentucky Folk Art Center in Morehead and the Museum of the American
Quilter's Society in Paducah.
The Kentucky Arts Council <http://artscouncil.ky.gov/> is a state
agency in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that creates
opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from
the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky
General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes
that a great nation deserves great art.
