The Community Quilt

The strength of a community's fabric is dependent on the sturdiness of the interwoven threads. Consider the many threads of The Community Quilt. First, Bonnie Bell's art students at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School worked together with Ms. Bell; Alicia Rheal, (Madison artist); Caroline Glover, (expert quilter) and Linda Pontefract, (quilter and local artist) to create the quilt design -- a variation of the log cabin pattern.

Next, students traced the design on 32, yes 32, primed 4 foot squares.

Simultaneously, individuals, businesses, service organizations and the Village and Town of Wittenberg became sponsors of 23 of the 32 squares. The Walls of Wittenberg funded the remainder of the costs.

On the first weekend in June, two freezing cold & rainy days, the community came and painted the 32 squares. Painters ranged in age from 2 months (find his tiny blue footprints on one of the stripes) to 74 years of age. Some added squiggles and dots while others painted exquisite flowers and curlicues and arabesques. Everyone, though chilled to the bone, was tickled with the results.

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood School Board voted unanimously to have the painting hung on the east wall of the Wittenberg Middle School. This demonstrates that a community, working together, can create a beautiful fabric for all to enjoy.