Unique art projects coming soon to a bare wall near you!

Just when you think nothing much is going on in Stockton, a couple of art projects in the works will soon begin to brighten up the town! A large Mural and a Barn Quilt Wall are two projects planned by the RoCo Arts Council, Inc. that you will want to be watching for.

No doubt you have seen barn quilts at homes around town and all over the country. These boards add a colorful touch to a house or barn, fence or flower garden. Barn quilts have a long history, dating as far back as 300 years, to the arrival of immigrants from the central regions of Europe, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. These immigrants brought with them the folk designs of their culture as well as specific patterns of quilt squares with interesting names such as Snail Trail, Bear Claw, Sixteen Point Star, Dahlia Pinwheel, Mariners Compass, and endless more.

The first weekend of June a number of ladies gathered at Stockton City Hall for the first of several scheduled “Barn Quilt Paint Days.” Under the instruction and inspiration of committee members Jayne Prockish, Amber Muir, Crystal Stapleton and Beth Oller, a total of 26 two-foot square Barn Quilts have been completed, using an assortment of quilt block patterns. More than 165 volunteer hours have already been utilized in painting this first set.

Additional painting sessions are scheduled for June 23, 24 and 25 and July 14, 15 and 16. If you would like to add your touches of paint to the boards, please contact Jayne Prockish to get on the list of volunteers. Even if you’re a beginner, Jayne will have you painting as a pro in no time!

The goal is to have the first phase of Barn Quilts painted and hung by Nov. 1, just in time for Stockton’s 150th Anniversary. The Barn Quilts will be fastened to the west-facing wall of the City shed, overlooking the City Park entrance, in an area 12-ft. tall by 30-ft. wide. Barn Quilts with the greeting “Welcome to Stockton” will be incorporated into the placement of the boards.

But this is only the beginning, as another set of 90 boards is in the plan to be painted, with a goal of mounting them on the wall in the spring of 2023.

Barn Quilts help identify our heritage and community through its past and present stories, and it will certainly provide a “photo op” and a warm greeting to travelers and locals alike, whether coming into town from the west or relaxing in our beautiful city park. Sounds like a map pin “destination place” for travelers! The second project in the works is a

The second project in the works is a large Mural to be painted on the blank wall west of Cikanek Law Office, at the stoplight intersection of U.S. Highways 183 and 24. The wall is actually owned by Ron Gallaway, as it is a remnant of a former building that he used to own which was demolished a number of years ago.

The entire surface of the block wall, which is 17-ft. tall at the highest part x 47-ft. long, will be the canvas for what is called a nostalgic “Greetings From... Postcard,” featuring large letters, 5- to 6-ft. tall, spelling STOCKTON. Each letter will depict an icon or image of something that uniquely identifies a feature of the town or the area, such as the Rooks County Courthouse, the grandstand at the fairgrounds, the water tower, Nova Theatre, and the lake, plus others.

Behind the letters is a vista of the hill at the south entrance to town, including the silhouettes of the cavalry and soldiers on the lookout, and deer grazing below. In the foreground will be a combine harvesting a milo crop and flushing out pheasants in the field.

Committee members working with the artist, Matt Miller, on the design for the Mural are Michelle Wieden, Addie Holmes and Nancy Becker. Matt, who lives in Hays, has completed several large murals and is eager to get started on the Postcard Mural in Stockton. Matt says there will be opportunities for high school art students to help him at different stages of the Mural.

Murals such as this can be seen throughout the state of Kansas and all over the country, and they help tell the story of the town and surrounding community. Even though they are plentiful throughout the U.S., Stockton wants one, too! Locating the Mural at the stoplight intersection will no doubt create a lot of interest as well as provide another photo op for tourists and others passing through.

Both of the projects in the works are being planned and created with materials and techniques meant to last for a long time. Ordinary plywood would not last over the years, so our Barn Quilts are being painted on prepared 2’ x 2’ sign boards, using exterior paint, so the wood and the paintings will last for many years to come. The Mural, also painted with exterior paint, together with the artist’s techniques, will extend the life of the Mural. To say these works of art may still be enjoyed 25 to 30 years from now is a definite possibility and something the arts council is hoping for. RoCo Arts Council

RoCo Arts Council looks forward to helping establish Barn Quilt Walls and Murals in the other towns of Rooks County to make our county a destination place! Plainville and Woodston have chosen the spot for a Mural in each of their towns and are following the progress of Stockton’s projects.

Do you want to be a part of these exciting projects happening in Stockton? Donations are being accepted for both projects. And you can always become a member of RoCo Arts Council to show your support of the organization and help plan these and other future ventures in our community. See the RoCo Arts Council ad in this edition of the Stockton Sentinel.

RoCo Arts Council, Inc. appreciates the financial support from the Stockton Community Fund and Heartland Community Foundation.

RoCo Arts Council, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c3 organization. We are excited about both of these projects, and we hope you will want to help in the creation. No doubt, it will be an exciting summer, watching these projects take shape!