Curiosity leads to Quilts on Campus
Jessica Cross, O&B Co-Editor
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: Features
Jefferson County's Quilts in the Smokies has started a domino effect. Twelve other locations want quilt squares already and Sloan has plans to place 20 more squares throughout the county, even hoping to place a few on the interstate.
"The whole idea is to start tourism. When you go to places as a tourist, you end up talking to the locals," said Sloan. "For a county that did not know much about quilt squares, they have gotten excited. It gives us a reason to work together, as a county, instead of individual," added Sloan.
Sloan says that the project promotes Appalachian heritage of quilt making. She hopes to be able to take the plywood and paint out into the individual communities, including schools, because finding a central location is often difficult for volunteers to travel to. Classrooms plan to get involved in the quilt squares as art projects also.
The Standard Banner is also using the project as a theme for their annual February "Community Magazine."
"I am not really a quilt person. I have only inherited a few quilts but, I have really gained an appreciation for quilts with this project," said Sloan.
If anyone is interested in volunteering with Jefferson County's Quilts in the Smokies, contact Brenda Sloan at joebillsloan@bellsouth.net or at 865-475-6105. For more information, visit the Quilt Trails website.
"The whole idea is to start tourism. When you go to places as a tourist, you end up talking to the locals," said Sloan. "For a county that did not know much about quilt squares, they have gotten excited. It gives us a reason to work together, as a county, instead of individual," added Sloan.
Sloan says that the project promotes Appalachian heritage of quilt making. She hopes to be able to take the plywood and paint out into the individual communities, including schools, because finding a central location is often difficult for volunteers to travel to. Classrooms plan to get involved in the quilt squares as art projects also.
The Standard Banner is also using the project as a theme for their annual February "Community Magazine."
"I am not really a quilt person. I have only inherited a few quilts but, I have really gained an appreciation for quilts with this project," said Sloan.
If anyone is interested in volunteering with Jefferson County's Quilts in the Smokies, contact Brenda Sloan at joebillsloan@bellsouth.net or at 865-475-6105. For more information, visit the Quilt Trails website.
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