Mode of Program Participation
Performances and Arts
Participation Type
Film
Presentation #1 Title
Pieced Together: A Documentary Film
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
“Pieced Together” is the first documentary film about the American quilt square trail movement. Directed by Julianne Donofrio, a Peabody award-winning producer and veteran of ABC News, “Pieced Together” tells the story of how one woman’s love for her mother changed the American landscape - and saved her life after job loss, breast cancer, and multiple health concerns. The film runs approximately 54 minutes and premiered this August at the National Quilt Gathering in Greeneville, TN. We are an Official Selection of the River's Edge International Film Festival in Paducah, KY which runs Nov 3-6, 2016. I would like to present the film in its entirety, followed by a question and answer session. I can provide a digital file or DVD of the film, and will bring my own laptop if necessary. I do not have a projector. Donna Sue Groves spent years working for the Ohio Arts Council documenting the artistry of Appalachian communities. Then one day she had an idea: pretty up an old barn for her mother Nina Maxine, a celebrated quilter, by hanging a wooden square painted to look like a traditional quilt block. But why stop with just one square? So Donna Sue got together with her neighbors in Adams County, OH and created a driving trail of squares hung on barns to attract tourists looking for a day trip who might then stop and spend money on gas, food, or crafts made by local artists. The first quilt square was hung in 2001; the idea sparked a grassroots phenomenon and a new form of American folk art. There are now trails in 40 US States and parts of Canada - all done by community organizers and volunteers – and there are countless squares found on barns, garages, and fences from California to Tennessee to Prince Edward Island. The trails have helped spur economic development and tourism in rural areas, as well as encouraged artisans and small business owners to follow their passion. The squares are also preserving barns and providing pride for communities from coast to coast. Donna Sue never planned on creating a cross-country community. But it is this very community that is helping her put the pieces of her life back together. INFORMATION ON THE FILM: www.piecedtogetherdoc.com TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVCjQhmr3aI
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Julianne Donofrio is the Director and Producer of "Pieced Together," the first documentary film about the American quilt square trail movement. A Peabody award-winning producer and veteran of ABC News, Donofrio lives and works in New York.
Presentation #2 Title
Pieced Together: A selection from the documentary
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
While my preference is to show the documentary in its entirety, as it is already completed, I would be willing to show a portion of the film and then talk about the impact of the barn quilt square movement - from tourism to preservation to the human side of neighbors taking care of neighbors.
We talk so much about innovation these days, here is an example that not all innovation takes place on a computer. Donna Sue grew up in Roane County, West Virginia and has never forgotten or shied away from her Appalachian roots. Her mother was a celebrated quilter and together they have created a new form of American folk art.
I am honored and pleased to be able to share their story and make sure it is out there so that years from now the history of the barn quilts and the trails is on record. I look forward to sharing it with your conference.
Pieced Together: A Documentary Film
“Pieced Together” is the first documentary film about the American quilt square trail movement. Directed by Julianne Donofrio, a Peabody award-winning producer and veteran of ABC News, “Pieced Together” tells the story of how one woman’s love for her mother changed the American landscape - and saved her life after job loss, breast cancer, and multiple health concerns. The film runs approximately 54 minutes and premiered this August at the National Quilt Gathering in Greeneville, TN. We are an Official Selection of the River's Edge International Film Festival in Paducah, KY which runs Nov 3-6, 2016. I would like to present the film in its entirety, followed by a question and answer session. I can provide a digital file or DVD of the film, and will bring my own laptop if necessary. I do not have a projector. Donna Sue Groves spent years working for the Ohio Arts Council documenting the artistry of Appalachian communities. Then one day she had an idea: pretty up an old barn for her mother Nina Maxine, a celebrated quilter, by hanging a wooden square painted to look like a traditional quilt block. But why stop with just one square? So Donna Sue got together with her neighbors in Adams County, OH and created a driving trail of squares hung on barns to attract tourists looking for a day trip who might then stop and spend money on gas, food, or crafts made by local artists. The first quilt square was hung in 2001; the idea sparked a grassroots phenomenon and a new form of American folk art. There are now trails in 40 US States and parts of Canada - all done by community organizers and volunteers – and there are countless squares found on barns, garages, and fences from California to Tennessee to Prince Edward Island. The trails have helped spur economic development and tourism in rural areas, as well as encouraged artisans and small business owners to follow their passion. The squares are also preserving barns and providing pride for communities from coast to coast. Donna Sue never planned on creating a cross-country community. But it is this very community that is helping her put the pieces of her life back together. INFORMATION ON THE FILM: www.piecedtogetherdoc.com TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVCjQhmr3aI
