The new quilt trail block at the Hill Creek ranch near Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Richard Smith.

KELSEYVILLE – The Kelseyville Pear Festival Committee is adding a new dimension to this year's celebration – the Lake County Quilt Trail.

On a drive along Highway 29 from Kelseyville to Lakeport, watch for a new and unique burst of color that now hangs on the Hill Creek Ranch barn amidst four and a half acres planted with winegrapes and 48 olive trees.

On Saturday, March 27, the committee marked the launch of the Lake County Quilt Trail by hanging a vibrant “quilt block” on the barn owned by Lou Ann Bauer, a San Francisco kitchen and bath designer who also owns and operates LuLu’s Ice Cream and Dessert Shop in downtown Kelseyville, and Nancy Yost, a San Francisco architect.

The barn features the pattern “Square on Square” in bright red, white and blue. The pre-built 8-foot wooden square block was hand painted by Konocti Art Society member-artist Annette Higday. Framing and installation was provided by local craftsman/contractor Ben Mitten.

The Lake County Quilt Trail is the very first for the state of California. This Lake County project is part of the rapidly spreading National Quilt Trail throughout more than 24 states.

Hill Creek Ranch is easily recognized along Highway 29. As you drive along be sure to look to the west and see the “quilt” block hanging on the barn. The metal animals in a rural, farm setting create a sense of history, creativity and folklore.

Marilyn Holdenried, the founder/chairman of the Kelseyville Pear Festival, discovered a grassroots movement that has quickly spread to over 24 states in the East, Midwest and South.

“While I was attending the International Storytelling Festival last fall in Jonesborough, Tenn., I was introduced to and further discovered the concept of the project of the Quilt Trail,” she said. “I was totally hooked! We needed this project in Lake County!”

Quilt Trails were first started in 2001 in the state of Ohio by Donna Sue Groves, who was honoring her mother, Nina Maxine Groves, a well-known quilter, as well as her rural heritage and the five generations of her family that shared a love of quilting.

Groves' idea led to colorful quilt patterns with names such as “Friendship Star,” “Bow Tie” and “Brown

Goose.”

Passed down generation to generation, artistic talent created beautifully crafted quilts out of both necessity and to pass down to others. Underlying all is the belief that combining a barn with a quilt square pattern honors quilting and farming, two important aspects of American life since colonial times.

Based upon the founding values of the festival, the quilt trail is designed to continue the celebration of our agricultural heritage.

The Kelseyville Pear Festival Committee agreed to provide the seed money to initiate the countywide project. Supporters feel it is a wonderful way to bring public art into a rural community and make it accessible to all.

The Lake County Quilt Trail provides opportunities for individuals, families, organizations and businesses to work together much the same way that traditional quilting has through the generations. Each project site will capture the spirit of place using ‘art’ for community celebration and economic development.

The quilt committee is seeking volunteers with community spirit to help in the creation of future quilt blocks. This could be a stimulating project for scout troops, senior centers, church groups, quilt guilds, 4-H members, class projects and art societies. Painted “quilt blocks” can be hung on vegetable stands, wineries, any barn or business building.

The Lake County Quilt Trail Committee has the quilt block designs, colors and materials in place for you to make selections.

“I would encourage anyone who likes to paint to be involved,” said Higday.

Let’s keep this interconnecting clothesline of quilts on-going from coast to coast. Applications to sponsor your own quilt block design on a barn or public building may be obtained by contacting Bethany Rose at 707-263-5744. There is a nominal fee of $225 to keep the project sustainable.

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