Arts Council
Arts Council Launches Web Site and Book on Kentucky's Quilt Trails

FRANKFORT, Ky. – 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, 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: Views 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 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.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Book release reception schedule is listed below.

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"Kentucky Quilt Trails: Visions and Voices" Book Release Receptions

Saturday, October 4, 2008, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (E.D.T.)
Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
975 Walnut Meadow Road
Berea, KY 40403

(Silas House will be available to sign books from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (E.D.T.)
Kentucky Folk Art Center
102 West First Street
Morehead, KY 40351

(Photographer Carol Shutt and Community Scholar Gwenda Lynn Huff will be available to sign books.)

Saturday, October 18, 2008, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (C.D.T.)
Museum of the American Quilter's Society
215 Jefferson Street
Paducah, KY 42002