Getting Squared Away: Art on the Bricks Art Walk patrons are invited to participate in a community art making project from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. indoors at Rogers Experimental House, 121 W Walnut Street, during the January 11 Art Walk. Mechel Wall, the Benton County coordinator of the Arkansas Quilt Trails, worked with Rogers Lowell Chamber to offer a painting station at Rogers Experimental House. Supplies are provided and the community is invited to paint the border of the 48” square wood quilt that, once complete, will be installed on an exterior wall of Andora Real Estate, 401 N 2^nd Street.

Wooden you love to help: IF you are interested in adding your own artistic touch to the Downtown Rogers wooden quilt, you are invited to stop by or, better yet, RSVP on the Facebook Event. 

History revisited: Wall created the design and included symbols that are relevant to Rogers history. The Rogers community quilt includes: a streetscape of brick buildings, the Frisco Train, the historic water tower, chickens and of course, apples.

The final piece of the puzzle: David Buttecali, owner of Andora Real Estate, responded quickly to the invitation to install the newest addition to the Arkansas Quilt Trails. “Understanding the history of Rogers, highlighted in art, not only adds character to visitors but promotes a sense of community," shared Buttecali. "Andora Real Estate is proud to be the home for the new quilt art display.” Andora's west facing wall at 401 N 2nd Street is an ideal location with an average daily traffic count of 16,000 cars, and easy parking and access for the public to take photos and selfies with the work of art.  

Keeping the Natural State in Stitches: The Arkansas Quilt Trails tour is a series of painted wood images around the state of Arkansas that represent fabric quilts. They are often referred to as Barn Quilts because they are usually hung on a barn or a similar structure. Each participating county needs to have a minimum of 12 approved blocks before their county trail is add to the state website. The quilt square being painted during the Art on the Bricks Art Walk is the 12^th square in Benton County.

Be Square: Opportunities to participate still exist. Artists, businesses and other organizations may continue to submit designs and participate in the project. DTR businesses are invited to the January 18 DTR Merchant Meet-Up to learn how they can design and create their own wood barn quilt and have their home, business or farm included on the Arkansas Quilt Trails. Mechel Wall, the Benton County coordinator of the Arkansas Quilt Trails, will be on hand to show off the new DTR barn quilt. Imagine how installing several across DTR would make a significant splash, and provide a creative and enduring way to showcase Downtown Rogers as a destination location to visitors from throughout the state and beyond. CLICK HERE to RSVP to attend the Meet-Up. 

Make your mark: These quilt blocks are traditionally seen in the country, but any Arkansas County resident, regardless of their location, urban or rural, may participate in the project. When people come up with a concept they would like to paint, they submit a sketch or a link to a quilt design to their county coordinator. The Benton County coordinator is Mechel Wall, and you may submit designs or ask questions by contacting her at [email protected]. She will send submitted designs to the state level to avoid duplications and for final approval.

Learn more information by visiting the Arkansas Quilt Trails website or visit their Facebook page to see ALL of the beautiful wood quilts across the natural state.