Your Wardsville Barn Quilt Project

For those members in or close to the Wardsville area an invitation is tendered to participate in the Your Wardsville Barn Quilt Project.
March 13, 2010
1) Workshop 9 am - 5 pm. (or drop by for an hour to view the process).
2) Special Announcement 10 am - 11 am.
Where: Beattie Haven Retirement Home, 23328 Beattie Line, R.R. #1, Wardsville ON N0L 2N0
Lunch by Beattie Haven kitchen - RSVP below.

If you can attend this Saturday workshop we are hoping you might also supervise an evening of volunteers sometime during March and/or April. Or you could lead your group's own painting evening. There are lots of options; we can arrange whatever works. The painting parties start March 13th and will be completed before May 30th. One mural is complete; 29 left to go. It's going to be great fun.

ON LINE RSVP March 13, 2010 Wardsville Bicentennial Barn Quilt- Painting Workshop

Wardsville is unofficially kicking off the Commemoration of the War of 1812 - 1814 which begins in less than 24 months. Wardsville challenges Elgin and Middlesex counties to learn more about our heritage deepen the connection among our local artists, artisans and community, and support and celebrate our hard working volunteers.

To commemorate the hardships and losses suffered by those early settlers - our families - from 1812 to 1814, Wardsville is organizing the Wardsville Bicentennial Barn Quilt Project.
The first Barn Quilt called "Farmer's Wife" has been completed by Rick Sommer. This mural which measures 8 feet by 8 feet pays homage to Mrs. Ward and all the other women who had to be fierce warriors to survive. It is currently being installed at the Wardsville branch of the Thamesville Credit Union.

There are 29 left to paint. The first training workshop is being held Saturday, March 13, 2010 in the basement of Beattie Haven from 9 am to 5 pm. The goal is to engage citizens through the visual arts, as well as through expression, celebration and preservation of local historical heritage.

In the basement of Beattie Haven, the block designs will be blown up to 8' X 8' and painted on special outdoor plywood. The plywood will be primed; the design stencilled and then painted with outdoor latex paint. The finished product will be protected with a sealant for outdoor display.

The 30 barn quilt murals which will be hung in various places throughout Wardsville area are based on a 30-block commemorative quilt that tells the story of George and Margaret Ward. Each block has a unique design and symbolizes a chapter in the Ward's life. The "Soldier", "Salute to Colors" and "Victory" blocks represent George's long history with the British Military. "Farmers Wife" and "Tree of Life" honour Mrs. Ward and all the women who worked beside their men while raising a family in conditions we cannot imagine. All quilters are called to add their stitches. This heritage quilt will go up in Beattie Haven's quilting room soon. Call Eleanor Blain for details 519) 693-4616.

These 30 highly-visual blocks will be stragetically placed in Wardsville and surrounding area to create a Barn Quilt Story Telling Trail, the first in North America. There's a barn quilt movement in the United States, but it seems that Wardsville is the first to coordinate such an ambitious series of barn quilts inspired by local history. Call Denise Corneil 519-693-7002 or http://wardsville.wordpress.com/