Central City Quilt Trail: Local Artists Celebrate Appalachian Art & History in 2026

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Congratulations to the local artists selected for the Central City Quilt Trail celebrating community, history, and creativity. RenewAll Inc., in partnership with the Old Central City Association, is proud to announce the artists selected to participate in the 2026 Central City Quilt Trail. This project continues the 20-year tradition of Quilt-Inspired Public Art for Huntington’s Central City Antiques District.  

The selected artists include:

• Amy Pabst
• Sarah Fox
• Elizabeth Turner
• Allison Broome
• Marlie Ramey
• Callie Thacker
• Courtney Chapman
• Levi Simpkins

“We congratulate each of the artists selected for the project and all of the district businesses are so excited to work with them as they interpret the quilt trail designs.” Lauren Executive Director RenewAll. The finished works will be installed on buildings in the Central City District to honor the local businesses and history of Central City.

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 project includes support for the artists throughout the design and installation process guided by Sassa Wilkes, Creative Placemaking Director at Coalfield Development.

“I’m so excited to get to work with this group of amazing artists,” said Wilkes. “I’ve learned how to do this kind of work myself, so in addition to fulfilling ReCreate Appalachia’s [a Creative Placemaking Program of Coalfield], mission to train and empower Appalachian artists, this is personally very fulfilling for me as a fellow artist. I can’t wait to see what they make and how it impacts Central City,” Wilkes added.

Participating artists say the project provides a meaningful opportunity to connect Appalachian heritage with contemporary public art.

“It’s an absolute joy to be a part of this cohort of artists for the Quilt Trail murals,” said Courtney Chapman, a selected local artist. “The artists included share such a large breadth of experience and ways of working, that each mural will blend contemporary practice with craft heritage in its own unique way,” Chapman added.

Central City has long embraced quilting as a symbol of heritage and historic preservation. The original Central City Quilt Trail, established in the 1990s, was one of the district’s earliest public art projects and helped shape the visual identity of the neighborhood. This new chapter continues that legacy by inviting contemporary artists to interpret the tradition through large-scale quilt-inspired murals.

This project aligns with the American 250 commemorations, and murals will be officially 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 11^th, 2026, and celebrated with an exciting event.              

Funding and support for the project is provided by the Huntington Foundation, Coalfield Development, and community donations. With additional support from the West Virginia Department of Tourism through Cabell County Commission’s America 250 Project.

For updates about the project, visit www.renewallhuntington.org/centralcityquilttrail

For more information, please contact Lauren Kemp, Executive Director, at [email protected]

Originally posted by RenewAll via Locable