The University Libraries hosted a quilt dedication reception on Tuesday, November 19.
In support of the 2022‐23 Common Reading book, Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community, Lynn Patterson and Mark Coltrain led a quilt project involving first‐year students. The project was a collaboration between the University Libraries, the University’s Common Reading Committee, three First Year Seminar Courses, and the Watauga County Public Library.
The project offered a unique opportunity for the University Libraries to engage first‐year students by being a bridge between them and the local community. The project emphasized creating transformational education experiences by engaging students with a hands‐on project that allowed for reflection on the importance and role of community.
The students created quilt squares in the Makerspace based on their concepts and insights about community. The activity allowed a deeper exploration and engagement with the Common Reading book, members of the Junaluska Community, and University Libraries’ resources, as well.
“The project was a work in progress, in three stages, creation, composition, and completion. During the project, we collaborated with campus faculty who brought their students; our artists, the students, faculty, staff and community members who designed quilt squares; Martha Marking who helped sew the squares together and to Sewing with Heart who quilted and completed the project, “said Mark Coltrain.
“Completing the project demonstrated the sense of community we hoped the students would find at App State”, said Lynn Patterson. We are grateful for the support of Dean Polanka and the Bivens Grant committee for giving us this opportunity to create a legacy for the University Libraries.
