What started with one woman in Ohio honoring her mother by hanging an art block on her barn has now spread to a nationwide cultural art expression found in 33 states. Western North Carolina is second only to Kentucky for having the most painted quilt blocks as a public art expression. Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina is a non-profit organization formed in response to the overwhelming popularity and demand for the iconic quilt blocks. Come visit
Spruce Pine NC and explore the Western North Carolina Quilt Trail amidst the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain countryside.
 On October 11, 2008, Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina celebrated its 100th block installation. The blocks reflect the personalities, stories, histories and cultural expressions of the owners and towns they represent.
Each block, therefore, is uniquely tied to the land, the building and the family. Pick up a Tour Guide at the Quilt Trail gift shop in
Burnsville NC, across from the Parkway Playhouse, and set off to find your favorite quilt block along the beautiful scenic roads of the High Country. You can also pick up a poster, pre-planned itineraries, stories from the quilt trail, and other art related to the Quilt Trails at the gift shop.
The quilt blocks are featured in the Western North Carolina Counties of Mitchell, Yancey, Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Madison. The Avery County Arts Council features a self-guided map to direct travelers to these cultural icons of public art. The quilt blocks can be found on barns, public buildings, shops and other community buildings. The blocks are painted and installed by volunteer workers in conjunction with willing property owners. The Mitchell & Yancey Quilt Square Project features over 100 quilts between the two counties and many more in the making! In Yancey and Mitchell Counties, the quilt blocks are reminders of history, reflecting specific stories and family histories. For example, in Burnsville, just down the road from Spruce Pine North Carolina, Alan Peterson wanted the quilt block on his barn to look like a brook trout and reflect his love
for NC Fly Fishing.
The Ashe Arts Barn Quilt Project is focused on
mounting its quilt block paintings on Ashe County
barns and celebrates the parallel symbolism between the heritage of quilts, barns and family histories. Avery & Watauga Quilt Square Project is the newest member of the Western North Carolina block quilt associations. Soon, vibrant, eight foot wooden squares will adorn many barns and buildings in Avery & Watauga County. Self-guided maps will be available for eager viewers to find
the quilt art easily. Lastly, Madison County Barn Quilt Project is also a newcomer to the Western North Carolina Counties participating in the Appalachian Quilt Trail. Unlike other counties, Madison County’s school classes, churches and community centers will be making the painted quilts, adding a unique, community element to the project. Professional painters will also join the quilt block teams, making for a special blend of quilt blocks to behold.
Madison County Arts Council
90 South Main Street
Marshall, NC 28753
828-649-1301
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Ashe County Arts Council
303 School Ave
West Jefferson, NC 28694
336-846-ARTS
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Watauga County Arts Council
P.O. Box 366
Boone, NC 28607
828-264-1789
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Avery County Arts Council
P. O. Box 2505
Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-898-4292
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Quilt Trails of Western NC
828-682-7331
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I hope that you will take a few moments to tour this site to discover all that we have to offer in the wonderful Spruce Pine, NC area. You'll be glad that you did!
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