"Tumbling Block"
The Highlands Museum and Discovery Center
1620 Winchester Avenue
Ashland, KY
Artist: Dustin York
On Friday, July 7, 2006, the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, 1620 Winchester Ave, Ashland, KY, unveiled the newest quilt square for the Ashland/Boyd County Quilt Alley. Housed in the front window of the museum, the tumbling block quilt square was designed and painted by Dustin York. It was funded by a Arts Build Communities grant from the Kentucky Arts Council.
Part of a longer Quilt Trail that weaves its way though Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, this quilt square adds to a growing tourist enthusiasm for heritage quilts.
The Tumbling Block design was chosen because the museum’s Jean Thomas collection has a tumbling block quilt. This original cloth quilt will also be on display for the opening and will remain on display on the mezzanine throughout the summer and fall.
The Highlands Museum boasts a discovery center which welcomes children and adults to explore the world around them. The tumbling block quilt is not only a traditional quilt design, but also a classic optical illusion. The tumbling block quilt has been a favorite since the mid-nineteenth century when Victorians were fascinated by optical illusions.
The tumbling blocks on the quilt appear as open books or blocks that radiate from the center of the quilt. It is a one-patch design actually sewn with three diamond-shaped pieces rather than squares. Using light, medium and dark colors, the blocks are placed with the light sides facing in the same direction for a three dimensional effect. When looked at from a different angle, the blocks also form a six pointed star pattern.
To further emphasize the role of quilts in the region, the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center opens a permanent clothing and textile area in August of 2006. The home of Elizabeth Roseberry Mitchell’s cemetery quilt top, this museum exhibit space will contain a revolving display of quilts, clothing and coverlets taken from the museum’s extensive collection.
In partnership with the community, the Highlands Museum preserves history and provides a dynamic resource, plus an integral contribution, to the region’s quality of life. The museum is located at 1620 Winchester Avenue. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and Mondays by appointment. Admission is $5.50 for adults, and $4.50 for seniors, students and children. Members and children under 2 are free. For more information, call (606) 329-8888, email at highlandsmuseum@yahoo.com, or visit Web site at www.highlandsmuseum.com.
Contact: Leigh Ann Heineman, Executive Director - leighann@highlandsmuseum.com
Or: Jennifer Criswell, Office Manager - jennifer@highlandsmuseum.com