News

Park at Flat Rock adds quilt block

Gary Steiner hangs the new quilt block designed by Georgia Bonesteel at the Welcome Center at The Park at Flat Rock.

By Bill Moss, Published: June 19, 2017

The Village of Flat Rock and the Flat Rock Park and Recreation Foundation announced the installation of a quilt block at The Park at Flat Rock, made possible by a generous donation from Georgia and Pete Bonesteel.

An internationally recognized master quilter and honoree in the Quilters Hall of Fame, Georgia Bonesteel has designed a one-of-a-kind quilt block for the park incorporating a stylized red-winged blackbird, reflecting not only the abundant bird life around us but also elements of the park logo. The quilt block has been installed on the northeast exterior side of the Welcome Center so as to be visible to a large area of the park. Pleased to bring part of our mountain history and culture into the park, Bonesteel commented, “What an honor to have the park on our Quilt Block Trail. It was a natural to design the red-winged blackbird from the park logo. I love searching out these birds while walking—they fly so fast with a flash of red and yellow!”
Originating in Adams County, Ohio, in 2001, quilt block trails have grown across the United States as a way to celebrate heritage and art as reflected in quilt design and creation. The quilt block will be part of the Henderson County Quilt Block Trail, developed and sponsored by the Western North Carolina Quilters Guild in conjunction with the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. The trail has placed graphic quilt blocks on barns, historic buildings, and private establishments as a way to preserve our Henderson County heritage and promote beautiful art throughout the area.
Maps showing where the quilt blocks are located throughout Henderson County are available from the Henderson County Visitors Center at 201 South Main St. and the Flat Rock Village Hall.
The Western North Carolina Quilters Guild (westernncquilters.org) is dedicated to understanding and learning more about quilting and perpetuating this art form. A group of more than 150 women and men who are interested in quilting, their skills range from beginner to professional, and they welcome visitors to their meetings.