According to the Ashe County Arts Council, “The quilt is a symbol of comfort and family. Barns are a symbol of our heritage and community. What would be better than combining the two and creating a visual image of who we are and where we come from?” Thus the Ashe Arts Quilt Project was born. Today there are currently more than 160 colorfully patterned quilt block paintings that decorate charming old barns in Ashe County.
The History of the Barn Quilts of Ashe County
Back in 2005, Ashe County became one of three counties in Western North Carolina to take part in a pilot program for barn quilts. The original project was funded by a Blue Ridge National Heritage Grant through Handmade in America and is based on similar barn quilt programs throughout the country. Since then the Ashe County Arts Council has brought together members of the community to design, paint and mount quilt block paintings on barns in the area. The barn quilts of Ashe county include those designed by students at Ashe County High School and Appalachian State University, local artists and local community members.
Check out this fun video to learn more about how the barn quilts of Ashe County came to life: http://www.wral.com/quilts-bring-new-life-to-old-barns/14168335/
To visit Ashe County’s barn quilts, all you have to do is commit to taking a scenic drive. You can choose among six loop trails that come with instructions with mileage, landmarks and road names to help you discover as many barn quilts as possible. Embarking on one of the barn quilt tours is a lovely way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
For more information and to download loop trail maps that include directions with mileage and road visit: http://ashecountyarts.org/barn-quilts/
