West Virginia 4-H’ers Work on Collaborative Quilt Featured at Smithsonian Gallery
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on April 30, 2026
West Virginia 4-H’ers from 17 counties are officially nationally recognized quilters, as quilt squares they contributed to two larger quilts are now on display at the Renwick Gallery in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
These quilts are part of the 4-H Interaction of Color Quilts Project, which was organized by Susie Brandt, a textile artist and educator, as well as a former 4-H'er. The two quilts on display are entirely composed of quilt squares made by 4-H’ers in West Virginia, Alaska, Utah, and New Jersey. They are on display as part of the State Fairs: Growing American Craft exhibit.
“This project was an opportunity for youths to explore their sparks, such as quilting, design, and creativity,” Jenny Murray, associate program leader for 4-H youth development, said. “There were basic instructions given on how to construct the block and play with color theory, but the way each member chose to design their block was ultimately up to them. There was no one way of completing this project, allowing for creative expression and individualized success in completing their blocks.”
The exhibit opened its doors in August 2025 and will be open to the public until September 2026. However, planning for this project began way back in early 2024.
4-H’ers worked on their squares all year and had them turned in to Brandt by December 31, 2024. She then pieced the blocks together, interweaving the work of 4-H’ers from each corner of the U.S., labeled on the back with the names of each person who contributed to the work.
In West Virginia, this program was offered as a virtual opportunity for all eligible 4-H members. 33 members completed the program, each making two quilt blocks, for a total of 66 blocks.
Ultimately, 50 blocks were included in the national quilts, and the remaining 16 were combined with blocks made at the 2024 Teen Leader Weekend into a quilt that was displayed at the 2025 State Fair of West Virginia. This quilt was then raffled off, and the proceeds went toward a trip to D.C. for the 4-H’ers whose blocks would be displayed.
West Virginia 4-H’ers were finally able to see their finished work in person when they made the trip to D.C. on March 28.
“The bus ride to and from D.C. allowed the members and their families to share stories about their sewing and quilt journeys. It was nice for them to find people who had common interests and build relationships that may continue beyond this program,” Murray said. “The family members behind each of these 4-H members are a huge part of this story and their success. I think some wheels may be turning in their heads about how to build special interest clubs, programs, or retreats to bring together interested youths around quilting in the future.”
This is especially true of two sisters from Barbour County, Brianna and Kaitlyn Tenney, who each learned to quilt for the first time during this project.
“We really enjoyed being part of this experience. I especially liked designing and creating the quilt blocks, and it was really cool to see how my individual pieces became part of a larger finished quilt,” said Kaitlyn.
They both note that they loved this project and felt especially proud of being a part of something meaningful and collaborative when they got to see the finished quilts in D.C.
“This project helped me learn more about quilting and appreciate the time, creativity, and teamwork that goes into a project like this. Overall, I’m so glad I was able to be a part of this project,” said Brianna.
After completing her blocks for this project, Brianna was inspired to go further into the art form and entered “The Next Giant Leap: Lunar Quilts,” a quilt block design contest by astronaut Karen Nyberg, celebrating her return to space.
Brianna’s quilt block was chosen to represent West Virginia and went on to be included in the display at the Kennedy Center last year. She cites the techniques she learned in the 4-H Interactions of Color quilt project with helping her design and create the quilt block that allowed her to be part of this unique experience.
