Blindman Valley will be a great deal more colourful this spring thanks to the Blindman Valley Lions Club’s barn quilt project.
During Lacombe County’s Regular Meeting of Council on Nov. 23, the Lions Club was approved for $1,910.44 in financial support for the Lockhart Community Hall Barn Quilt Project.
Members of the Lions Club hope to see a barn quilt trail created in the Blindman Valley. Blindman Valley Lions Club Member Trudy Rangen explained a barn quilt is a painted quilt block pattern displayed on barns, sheds, porches, mailboxes and granaries.
Rangen explained the history of barn quilts dates back to 2001. Donna Sue Groves painted a quilted square on her barn on the Ohio farm she shared with her mother. Her neighbors encouraged her to expand the project, which resulted in a collaboration with the Ohio Arts Council to create 20 more in the area.
“Suddenly it became something many people wanted to go and see,” said Rangen. “Very quickly this art form took off across America. They formed ‘trails’ where you could find a number of them within easy driving distance through a county. This unique folk art preserves the country’s quilt tradition as well as regional heritage.”
The Blindman Valley Lions Club is currently working on a number of these barn quilts for a project this spring. Rangen said she believes it will be a great display for the community.
“It will also help people to notice the historical family farms that have been feeding people for generations,” she added. “Hopefully the support for this grows as more people see them on their drives through the Blindman Valley.”
Rangen’s own first barn quilt painted was one to honour the heritage of the area. She called the pattern the Kansas Star, as Rimbey’s original name was Kansas Ridge.
Rangen added, “Today, barn quilts are one of the fastest-growing and community-driven grassroots public art movements in the country.”