Painted quilts continue to gain interest

Adelle Ellis
Times Reporter

 

When the painted quilt project came to life after Hope Bridges won Strathmore’s Let’s make a Pitch contest in June of 2014, they had but an inkling of how popular the workshops and project would become.
“We have had more requests to make more [painted quilts]; hopefully we will hold more workshops later this year,” said Hope Bridges coordinator, Wanda Reinholdt.
So far, the not-for-profit organization has used about two thirds of their $10,000 in winnings from the contest to create 13 unique and colourful 4 ft. by 4 ft. painted quilts that can be hung outside of businesses around Strathmore.
To date, nine painted quilts are hanging on buildings in town, and one will soon be hung inside Westmount School Playschool. This particular quilt will be made into a sign instead of going on the side of the building, which is something new to Hope Bridges, currently in the process of getting permits to put the sign up in spring.
Three completed painted quilts are still looking for a home. They are free to display, and Hope Bridges encourages business to take part. The process is simple: a Hope Bridges facilitator meets with a business, shows photographs of the available quilts, an application is filled out and the location submitted to the Town of Strathmore.
“All supplies and facilitation is brought to the public for free,” said Reinholdt. “Even for businesses to put a quilt up, it is free,” she said.
Fortis has been volunteering time and equipment to help hang quilts on buildings.
Workshops to create more painted quilts will be held later this year.
“We can accommodate anyone who would like to take part,” said Reinholdt. “We have individuals from all experiences and backgrounds.”
The creation of the quilts can happen in three different ways, or as of a mixture of all three: first, some building owners have given specific requests for specific designs they would like to put on their building; second, some participants have completely designed their own quilt with their thought-up pattern and colours; and lastly, the painted quilt facilitator has come up with a few designs, or has given ideas and suggestions for participants to build from.
After the design is created, the boards are primed, painted and sealed with outdoor paint so they will be protected from the elements and weather damage while on the side of the businesses.
Hope Bridges is currently in discussions with another organization in Strathmore to create a mobile phone application, which shows the “trail” or location of the painted quilts currently hanging around Strathmore.
For more information about taking part in a future workshop, contact Hope Bridges Society at 403-983-3640 or visit hopebridges.ca.