Our Heritage Community Art Project

Local individuals and families are invited to join us on Sunday, April 6 for the Central Wisconsin “Our Heritage” Community Art Project.

No crafting experience is needed. Participants will be supplied with their 14” square (12” square finished) fabric base for their “quilt block”, a bevy of supplies and the support of crafters who will be at the workshop to help them create their block.

What is your family history? What is your community history? How do you want to have your family history or current life documented? This is an exciting opportunity to include your history in a permanent “mixed media” community heritage art project.

What is Mixed Media?

A mixed media textile or fabric-based block art is a type of artwork that lets the artist
use various materials and techniques to create their “quilt block.” This can include fabrics, threads,
paint, paper and other mediums. Creating mixed media quilt blocks for a wall hanging gives
the individuals and families in this project the freedom to incorporate a wide variety of items
that reflect their family and thoughts on their family’s journey, struggles and joys.
For example, a family can imprint a family recipe, important dates, photos of ancestors,
military photos, cultural symbols, family hobbies and businesses using fabric pens or photo transfers.
Fabric paint or the use of additional fabric pieces can be made into representations of ancestral flags
and cultural patterns. The addition of silk items, charms, embroidery, patches and
other “notions” can be used to show many aspects of the family or individual. 

RSVPs are requested by March 31, so organizers have time to prepare the workshop supplies.
To register or for more information, contact Theresa by email at museum@thehighground.org or call 715-743-4224.

Additional workshops will be held throughout the spring and summer months to assist beginners and to help participants complete and turn in their finished quilt blocks. Once the quilt blocks are submitted, experienced quilters will piece them together to create a secure and permanent wall hanging, showing how a community is formed from families of very diverse backgrounds and rich cultural heritage.

The Central Wisconsin “Our Heritage” Community
Art Project is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The finished Central Wisconsin “Our Heritage” wall hanging will be unveiled at The Highground during the International Day of Peace event on September 21 and will be made available for display at local libraries and schools. This project is being completed at The Highground because honoring our military veterans’, remembering their sacrifices and supporting them are at the core of the park’s mission. This project will showcase who our troops put themselves in harm’s way to protect and the freedoms they project regardless of background. It is “Why They Fight.” Families with military veterans in their past and present are encouraged to represent them on their quilt block. 

The Highground is located at W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville, WI 54456