The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Farmington River scenes flow through quilt
A 50-foot creation will be displayed to mark 50th anniversary
WINSTED — October 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, which is important to the Farmington River.
In 1994, the United States Congress designated the upper 14 miles of the Farmington River as a Wild & Scenic section because of its remarkable natural, recreational, historic and cultural values. The Farmington River flows through the Connecticut towns of Colebrook, Hartland, Barkhamsted, New Hartford and Canton.
In celebration of this anniversary, the Farmington River Quilt will be exhibited at the Northwestern Connecticut Community College Library during the month of November 2018. The library is open Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The quilt celebrates the outstanding resources of the Wild & Scenic section, and is a beautiful rendition of the Farmington River with 25 different artists' interpretations of sections along the Wild & Scenic segment of the river. The quilt was supported with a grant and site information from the Farmington River Coordinating Committee.
The Farmington River Quilt is the brainchild of Winchester Center quilter Mary Pat Leger who, after seeing the Sacramento River Quilt, envisioned a similar work of art extolling the remarkable values of the Farmington River. Her inspiration brought together 24 other quilt artists, some nationally recognized, some making their first landscape quilt. Together they created The Farmington River Quilt Project, which portrays 25 locations on the Wild & Scenic section from Goodwin Dam in Colebrook to the Rainbow City Pool in Canton. The 50-footlong quilt is comprised of these 25 sections each measuring 24” x 21”.
Each quilter worked independently using his or her own creative expression to depict a specific location. Quilters were required to meet the river’s entry and exit dimensions of the adjoining quilt, enabling the river to flow with continuity
through the entire 50 feet. The quilt has an immense impact as artwork and as an educational piece.
“As this quilt is displayed in various venues we hope that it will be enjoyed as a fine work of art and also promote the long-term protection of our river resources,” said Roger Behrens, Chair of FRCC.
The Farmington River
Coordinating Committee is integral to the implementation of the Upper Farmington River Management Plan. The Committee is comprised of appointed representatives from the five riverfront towns, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Metropolitan District Commission, National Park Service, Farmington
River Watershed Association, and Farmington River Anglers Association. For more information visit: www.framingtonriver.org.
For more information about the Farmington River Quilt Exhibition in the Northwestern Connecticut Community College Library, contact librarian Jim Patterson at jpatterson@nwcc.edu.