8/15/01
Kids will have a chance to sharpen their skills at quilting when the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History continues its Free Family Fun series on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. at the Cultural Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston. Hands-on activities are geared for children; however, visitors of all ages are invited to discover something new by participating in the free event.
Bil Lepp, education coordinator for the Division, will lead kids on a journey into the world of quiltmaking. An award-winning storyteller and five-time titleholder of the “Biggest Liar” prize in the Division’s annual Vandalia Gathering, Lepp holds a degree in divinity from Duke Divinity School, is an Eagle Scout and is the co-author of a book of short stories entitled “The Monster Stick.”
Participants will gather in the Great Hall for the day’s activities. Kids can sew cloth blocks together to create their own small quilts. They can cut shapes and designs to place on traditional quilt patterns which can later be made into pillows or small wall hangings. Visitors also can decorate quilt patterns using colorful stickers and make quilt pictures.
Rounding out the day’s activities, participants can view the annual juried quilt exhibition “Quilts 2001,” which is hanging on the 40-foot-high marble walls of the Great Hall. The 28 colorful, intricately detailed quilts represent the talent of West Virginia’s quiltmakers.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Due to the nature of the activities, children should wear play clothes.
Free Family Fun Day is an ongoing series that occurs on the last Saturday of every month. The September event will focus on sculpture. For more information about Free Family Fun Day, contact Lepp at (304) 558-0220, ext. 131.
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. The Cultural Center is West Virginia’s official showcase for the arts. Visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information about programs of the Division. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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