In September 2025, Ridgeland Area Library was awarded an Ideas to Action Fund award for their project, Read, Paint, Quilt: A Celebration of Local Art. The plan for this project was that the library would host a colorful community art show and a fun barn quilt painting class where everyone is able to explore creativity and celebrate local art and history together. Here, Ridgeland Area Library staffers Betty Glaser and Donnette Mickelson provide an update from the mid-point of the project.
Project Timeline
January 2026
- Soy Crayon Coloring Quilt Contest
Over 20 children participated. Winners have been narrowed down to 14, and we are in the process of creating a community quilt featuring their artwork. - January 17 – First Barn Quilt Class
Instructors: Mary and Michael Kolstad
Participants: 9 - Obtained several Jennifer Chiaverini books for our Ridgeland Area Library
February–March 2026
- Adult and Teen Barn Quilt Coloring Contest launched.
- February 28 – Second Barn Quilt Class
Instructors: Mary and Michael Kolstad
Participants: 14 - March 28 – Third Barn Quilt Class
Class is full with 16 participants. - Designed and developed Read * Paint * Quilt Ridgeland Area Library magnets and stickers for distribution.
March–April 2026
- Denim activity – rescheduled from 1/24 due to weather – for all ages; denim flowers, winter ornament, pocket pouch, wood ornament, and featuring book, Who Was Levi Strauss?
- Tiny Posters (2.5 x 3.5 inches) ACEO Activity – Dates TBD
We have reached out to University of Wisconsin–Stout, and an art professor has expressed interest in teaching the class. The focus will be Heritage of the Barn. Collages and paintings will be displayed at the April 18 Art Show. - Key Club Tie Blankets with local Barron School District children.
- Obtained two new books and we are preparing for our Storybook Walk in our local parks come spring.
April 2026
- April 18 – Art Show and Presentation
Location: Ridgeland-Dallas Elementary School
Presenter: Jim Leuenberger (Shawano County)
Topic: History of Barn Quilts
Approximately 39 barn quilts from our three barn painting classes will be on display. - Dry Mix Class – date TBD
- Exploration of Sourdough class – TBD
- April 25 – Fourth Barn Quilt Class
Currently accepting registrations.
May 2026
- May 9 – Fifth Barn Quilt Class
Currently accepting registrations.
June 2026
- June 13 – Sixth Barn Quilt Class
Currently accepting registrations. - June 30 – Walldogs Community Mural Unveiling
Location: Village of Ridgeland Park
Artists from across America will participate in unveiling our community mural.
All locally painted barn quilts will be displayed. We anticipate approximately 75 barn quilts showcased throughout the Village Park.
Ongoing Initiative
A dedicated group of volunteers will begin mapping existing local barn quilts and documenting the history of associated farms and barns. Newly painted barn quilts will also be added to this inventory.
We are currently exploring QR code integration as part of a broader plan to develop a Dunn County Barn Quilt Tour and Guide.
Who is our project reaching and how are we going about this?
Our project is reaching community members across Ridgeland and surrounding areas located in Dunn County, through multiple communication channels. We are sharing updates and articles in two local newspapers, Barron News-Shield and Hay River News, to keep the broader public informed. These papers are also available electronically.
We also maintain an online presence through Facebook and our village website at Village of Ridgeland (www.ridgeland.com). In addition, we have created both printed and electronic flyers that have been distributed to schools, quilt shops, and other local businesses throughout the area. These combined efforts ensure we are reaching a wide and diverse audience.
We have also reached out to the Dunn County Historical Society, Volume One, WEAU TV, WQOW TV, WPR, Dunn County board of supervisors, Dunn County tourism board, Dunn County extension office about our speaker and also the local libraries have been notified.
Has our project changed since we started?
While our overall goals remain the same, we have made a few adjustments along the way. One event — the Denim activity — had to be postponed due to weather conditions but has since been rescheduled.
We also expanded our programming by adding a sourdough class led by local community instructors. Additionally, we have been contacted by community members who are eager to become more involved. We are excited to match their interests and talents with opportunities within this initiative, further strengthening community engagement.
What success are we most excited about?
The Barn Quilt class has been a tremendous success! Interest has exceeded expectations, and we may need to add additional sessions due to a growing waitlist.
We are also thrilled about our collaboration with the Colfax Public Library, which is hosting a Barn Quilting Class with the same instructors. Since Colfax is in Dunn County, we are hopeful that completed barn quilts there can be included as part of our expanding Barn Quilt Tour — further broadening the impact of this project.
In addition to Colfax Public Library, WoodWind Park, located in Otter Creek, WI, in Dunn County, will be hosting a barn quilting class with the same instructor. Because Otter Creek is in Dunn County, we are also hopeful that completed barn quilts will be placed on our expanding Barn Quilt Tour!
We have completed the development of magnets and stickers that will be distributed to individuals who attend our events as part of our continued outreach and branding efforts. As our programs continue to grow, we are seeing increased interest through word of mouth, with community members from outside of Dunn County attending events and engaging with us by asking questions and seeking additional information. Our outreach is successfully reaching individuals across all age groups; we will continue to focus on expanding awareness and engagement specifically within Ridgeland while continuing to build on the broader regional interest our programs are generating.
