ASHEVILLE, N.C. – September 09, 2026 – ArtsvilleUSA is proud to announce a new exhibition celebrating the enduring legacy of barn quilts across Western North Carolina. Launching Wednesday, September 9 and running through the end of October, the exhibition will be hosted on the ArtsvilleUSA gallery wall at the Ferguson Family YMCA in Candler and is free and open to the public.
The show features stunning barn quilt designs by Tricia Palm of Burnsville Barn Quilts and evocative photographs by Asheville-based photographers Tim Robison and Michael Freas. Freas’ work documents the Haywood County Arts Council Barn Quilt Trail, capturing the history and personal stories behind the region’s iconic barn quilts, including portraits of local tradition bearers Lillian Howell Rumsey and Sugar Bear Rumsey.
The exhibition is part of ArtsvilleUSA’s ongoing initiative to document and preserve these unique rural artworks, whose origins are often rooted in women’s creative traditions but whose histories are at risk of being lost. Many barn quilt trails, once a thriving art form throughout WNC, have vanished due to lack of funding or have been destroyed, most recently by Hurricane Helene. ArtsvilleUSA is working to archive these treasures in the Quilt Index, a national nonprofit digital repository with over 100,000 quilts. This project marks the first time barn quilts will be preserved in the Index.
In addition to the exhibition, ArtsvilleUSA is hosting a live event and workshop at the Biltmore Lake Appalachian Heritage Fest on September 12, from 1-3 p.m., offering visitors a chance to learn more about the barn quilt documentation project and get involved in preserving local heritage.
ArtsvilleUSA will host a special fundraiser in October to support this initiative. Also in October, look for a feature story about the barn quilt fundraiser on ArtsvilleUSA.com, plus a podcast episode with commentary from local culture bearers such as Lillian Howell Rumsey and Sugar Bear Rumsey.
ArtsvilleUSA invites the public to experience this celebration of rural art, support the ongoing preservation efforts, and help promote tourism and economic recovery in Western North Carolina. To donate, visit us here.
About ArtsvilleUSA
ArtsvilleUSA is an Asheville-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the arts community of Western North Carolina. Through exhibitions, podcasts, and storytelling, ArtsvilleUSA amplifies the voices of local artists and arts organizations, celebrating both traditional crafts and contemporary makers from Asheville galleries to rural studios and mountain communities. ArtsvilleUSA is a subsidiary of Arterial, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit media platform committed to amplifying art worldwide. Learn more at ArtsvilleUSA.com or sign up for our newsletter.
About Michael Freas
Michael Freas is an Asheville-based photojournalist recognized for his ability to capture raw emotion and authentic human stories. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Popsugar, The Huffington Post, and more. He has been named one of the Top 50 Photojournalists in the World by the Wedding Photojournalist Association and is a member of The Knot Hall of Fame. Learn more at freasframes.com.
