News Release - December 11, 2013
BARN QUILT BLOCK ART
GAINS MOMENTUM
THROUGH FLINT HILLS
The barn quilt “revolution” is gaining momentum through the
Kansas Flint Hills, according to the Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail Committee.
The Trail, formed only a year ago, already promotes 55 block locations in 16 of
the 22 Kansas Flint Hills Counties, with several locations displaying multiple
blocks.
The Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail was formed to promote
tourism and rural pride throughout the 22 county region, and is sponsored by
the Kansas Flint Hills Tourism Coalition.
The “quilt trail” idea began nationally in Ohio when Donna
Sue Groves vowed to paint a barn quilt block to “dress up” a tobacco barn for
her mother on their farm back in 2001. Suzi Parron became intrigued with barn
blocks on her travels and developed the American Quilt Tail, which promotes the
internet based directory of barn blocks throughout the country. One only needs
to view www.barnquiltinfo.com, to
map trails throughout the United States and parts of Canada. The Kansas Flint
Hills Quilt Trail is linked to the American Quilt Trail, offering promotion of
the Flint Hills nationally.
The barn quilt art is gaining momentum in preparation for a
visit from Suzi Parron, as she researches the countryside in ready for her new
book, tentatively titled, “Farther Along the Quilt Trail.” Suzi Parron plans to
visit the Flint Hills in April, 2014, and will include a Kansas chapter in her
new book. The Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail will host a program, luncheon, and
book signing of her original book, “Barn Quilts And The American Quilt Trail
Movement,” Saturday, April 5th in Manhattan. Barn quilt enthusiasts
are encouraged to register their barn quilt blocks with the Kansas Flint Hills
Quilt Trail in advance of Suzi Parron’s visit in April.
Suzi Parron has announced that she has chosen Kansas Flint
Hills Quilt Trail barn quilt artist, Sue Hageman’s, wintry image of her “Flying
Geese Variation” quilt design to be featured in the 2014 Barn Quilt Calendar.
The calendar features barn quilts from thirteen states, and is available at
www.barnquiltinfo.com.
The Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail will be featured as part
of an exhibit at the Kansas Museum of History, 6425 SW 6th Avenue,
Topeka, January 17 – August 31, 2014. The exhibit, “Speaking of Quilts: Voices
from the Collection and the Community,” will not only include commemorative
quilts, such as the Potwin quilt, and newly acquired quilts, but also an actual
four foot square barn quilt block painted by Sue Hageman. Hageman won the 2013
AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Block Contest with the design planned for the display,
which also designates the Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail as its logo.
This fall the Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail has offered Barn
Quilt 101 Classes throughout the Flint Hills region where barn quilt
enthusiasts may learn hands-on how to produce a barn block of their own. Barn
Quilt 101 Classes and Presentations explaining the Kansas Flint Hills Quilt
Trail and barn block making may be arranged by contacting the committee at
KSFHQT@gmail.com.
To follow the barn quilt trails through the Flint Hills, and
to keep abreast of the activities and events of the Kansas Flint Hills Quilt
Trail, link to www.KsFlintHillsQuiltTrail.com,
or e-mail KSFHQ@gmail.com for more
information. Those serving on the Kansas Flint Hills Quilt Trail Committee are
Marcia Rozell, Tourism Sales Manager, Manhattan Convention Visitors Bureau;
Abby Amick, Wabaunsee County Economic Development Director; Sue Hageman, Riley
County, and Connie Larson, president of Ag Heritage Park in Alta Vista.
