For Immediate Release
Contact: Deb Litman
301.777.2787 (ARTS)
QuiltWalk 2021 coming to downtown Cumberland and Frostburg in September
CUMBERLAND— The Arts & Entertainment Districts of Cumberland and Frostburg, in concert with the Downtown Development Commission and Schoolhouse Quilters, Inc., will celebrate the art of quilting in their first ever collaboration, QuiltWalk 2021.
From September 1-30, more than 40 handmade quilts created by members of the Schoolhouse Quilters Guild and Creative Needles will be displayed in storefronts located in the downtown areas of Cumberland and Frostburg. Maps will be available at multiple locations to help you find them all!
The goal of Maryland’s Arts & Entertainment Districts is to help develop and promote community involvement, tourism and revitalization through tax-related incentives. Some of the buildings which will feature this traditional art form are vacant and available for development opportunities. Julie Westendorff, executive director of the Allegany Arts Council and manager of the City of Cumberland’s Arts & Entertainment District says, “There is no more powerful way to marry revitalization efforts in communities than by sharing the power of the arts to help inspire, connect and showcase some of our most treasured community assets. I am delighted to have our partners join us in this effort, and to work alongside the quilters who continue this important and traditional art form in our community.”
Quilting is a tradition native to our region, producing beautiful works of art which incorporate stellar craftsmanship, creative design, and highly-challenging needlework. Like other art forms, quilting has also changed with technology and the introduction of machinery which takes the process even further. Locally, quilting remains a treasured pastime, and local quilt groups still gather to sew together, supply quilts to local organizations in need, and keep the tradition alive.
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