Photo by Bonnie Cranmer
Bonnie Cranmer
Contributing writer
Artist Martha Dillard is retiring. Her project supporting the Craig County Public Library has been a huge success. Barn Quilts for Books began with a simple goal; create unique art pieces that can be maintained outdoors, and after material expenses, donate the rest to the library. Dillard has created an incredible resource for residents and visitors to Craig County, a beautiful tribute to this historic art form, visible on a drive through the county. Now, she’s passing the paint brushes along.
Barn quilts have been a fixture in many rural communities for 300 years. Originating in Pennsylvania, barn painting or quilting, allowed for decoration on barns and was used to guide travelers by the patterns or colors. The barn quilt on the back building at the library had the first of many barn quilts on display, with little fading due to the paint quality Dillard chooses. “It’s really held up well after all these years,” she noted on inspection.
Gwen Douglas is no stranger to barn quilts and is eager to get started. Douglas created the Quilt Trail of the New River Valley and has been supporting libraries with those art installations. She was at the Craig County Public Library this past week to meet with Dillard and other local library supporters. Douglas will be continuing the Barn Quilts for Books project and looks forward to expanding the trail in Craig County. Douglas has a love of history, old houses, and traditional crafts which led her to create the trail in the New River about 10 years ago.
Douglas isn’t afraid of a creative approach to design. She uses aluminum panels, high quality paints, and works with each client to create a personal design. After she recovers from knee replacement surgery in May, she will be found doing a public art project for the Blacksburg Public Arts Committee. Clients have chosen to support the Montgomery Museum in Christiansburg, the Glencoe Museum in Radford, the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, the Hahn Garden in Blacksburg, and the Shawsville Library through Douglas’s work to date. The Quilt Trail brochures and the library website will have contact information available shortly.
As for Martha Dillard, she’s looking forward to retirement and family time. While the barn quilts became another creative journey in recent years, she’s ready to put the brushes down. Her contribution to the library will be highlighted at the May 4th event at the high school. The Friends of Craig County Library are hosting the annual Author Series, with guest Martin Clark, author of The Plinko Bounce.
“Martha celebrated her love for Craig County by a project of her own making, “Barn Quilts For Books”. Ten years, 308 barn quilts, and a mapped trail is the legacy she passes on to another passioned artist, Gwen Douglas,” stated Jennifer Lovejoy, Friends of Craig County Library Board Member. The May 4th event will include a review of Dillard’s work with the Barn Quilts for Books project.
Tina Crawford on behalf of the Craig County Tourism Commission shared, “Martha is a treasure to this county and her work will be admired for decades and generations to come. The Barn Quilt Trail is like a miles-long message to our visitors saying, ‘We’re glad to see you’ and to our residents, ‘Welcome home.’ We’re excited to know Gwen will be continuing Martha’s legacy.” Register to attend the event on the library website on Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m. in the Craig County High School auditorium.
