Congratulations to the local artists selected for the Central City Quilt Trail, celebrating community, history, and creativity. The selected artists include:
The selection process was highly competitive, with more than 36 submissions from artists in Huntington, Charleston, and Southeast Ohio. Following a regional call for artists, eight artists were chosen to design and install 8’x8’ quilt murals. The selected artists represent a range of creative backgrounds, approaches, each drawing inspiration from quilting traditions while bringing their own contemporary interpretation to the project.
The Central City Quilt Trail reimagines a beloved community and Appalachian symbol, the quilt, as a vibrant new public art initiative in West Huntington’s Central City District. Just as quilts weave together stories, fabric, and community, this project connects artists, businesses, and neighbors through shared creativity and pride of place.
The original Central City Quilt Trail, established in the 1990s, was one of the district’s first public art efforts. This new chapter continues that legacy, blending heritage and contemporary design to tell Central City’s evolving story.
The mural installation is sponsored by RenewAll, Inc. in partnership with the Old Central City Association, representing the community’s small businesses and property owners. Together, we aim to preserve the area’s distinct history while supporting the artists shaping its future.
The Central City Quilt Trail is designed not only as a public art project, but also as a creative placemaking and artist development initiative.
RenewAll is partnered with ReCreate Appalachia, a program of Coalfield Development, to provide training and mentorship for participating artists. Through this partnership, artists received guidance on mural design, working with mural cloth (also known as Polytab), and the installation process for large-scale public artwork.
The program was led by Sassa Wilkes, Creative Placemaking Director at Coalfield Development, who hosted training sessions and open studio opportunities throughout the process. These sessions were designed to help artists expand their practice, gain experience with public art installation, and collaborate with regional creatives.
This project aligns with the American 250 commemorations, and murals will be offically highlighted by the WV Department of Tourism’s America250 Mural Project. Funding for this program was announced by Governor Morrisey in November 2025 with funding for new and original works, honoring our rich heritage and vibrant communities through art. Installations will be completed by July 11th, 2026, and celebrated with an exciting event.
