As promised, this is a special issue of the FSPA newsletter with a sneak peek of our summer exhibition Prairie Dreams: Trail of Quilts, which happens this coming Saturday, June 13, for one day only, from 10 am - 5 pm. Steve Dietz is guest editing this issue for the FSPA Arts Committee. Pam Miller will return as editor at her regularly scheduled time.

We are all accustomed to representations of nature, from plein air painting to eye-opening photographs of seldom seen moments in the wild to literature and music inspired by nature. Generally, this art is experienced indoors in an institutional setting or in the comfort of our homes. With Prairie Dreams, we wanted the audience to experience art and nature at the same time, in the same place.  

It is an experiment. What does the rich diversity of (mostly) area quilters think of when they think of the prairie? What will you think of their quilts as you walk the trail of these prairie dreams with birdsong in the air, the sun and breeze on your face, the living prairie before you? How will memories of past walks in Frontenac State Park and elsewhere affect your viewing, understanding and appreciation of the quilts? How will this walk become a memory to unpack and enjoy during future walks in the park and elsewhere in nature?

We hope you enjoy this blossoming of creativity on the prairie.

Prairie Dreams is a project conceived collaboratively by the Frontenac State Park Association’s Arts Committee and supported by our membership and the amazing staff of Frontenac State Park. Thank you in particular, to the 123 quilters and their collaborators who contributed their dreams to this project. We are so grateful. A complete list of the quilters with images of their quilts will be online on our website, eventually. For the best experience, however, you should plan to show up in person.

Steve Dietz, President, Frontenac State Park Association

Frontenac State Park Association Arts Committee: Jan Bruce, Linda Buysse, Steve Dietz, Janet Malotky, Jeneann Oppedahl, Nathan Oppedahl, Barb Partington, Lynne Staker

The Challenge

Jan Bruce, Artistic Director, Prairie Dreams: Trail of Quilts

Prairie Dreams: Trail of Quilts was presented to potential participants as a quilt challenge. Each of 150 quilters were given a kit of three - 1/3 yard cuts of fabric. The fabrics, a brown, a blue and an orange were to represent earth, wind and fire. The challenge was to use those three fabrics, along with any other fabrics of their choice, to create a quilt which represented  their vision of the  prairie. Quilters were instructed to use as much or as little of each fabric as they needed and were also given permission to dye, paint, bead or otherwise disguise the fabric as needed for their project.  However all 3 fabrics must be used.

Our initial plan was to attend five local quilt groups and distribute 75 kits.  To our delight, those 75 kits were spoken for at the first two meetings I attended!  The decision was made to expand the number of kits to 150. We were receiving requests for kits even after that number was exhausted. The show has quilters of all ages and all skill levels. It has been a joy to watch this show come together. We hope you will enjoy seeing the variety we have to present .

Now your challenge: Can you find the three fabrics in each quilt? 

What speaks to you?

We asked a number of people - writers, naturalists, hikers, birders, rangers - to pick an image that “spoke” to them and write about it. Here are 14 of them, which you will be able to see along the Trail of Quilts on Saturday, June 13. Come and see the other 109 quilts in person and share what speaks to you by voting for the People’s Choice Award.  

Coneflowers on the Prairie
Pieced, quilted and designed by Pam Bauman, Lake City, MN

Coneflowers are one of many species of prairie forbs that can be observed in the park's many prairies.  They add color to the predominant big bluestem and Indian grasses of the prairie.
Bruce Ause is the founding director of the Red Wing, MN Environmental Learning Center and author of the blog Wacouta Nature Notes.

Is it Fire or Is It Sunrise?
Pieced and designed by Deb Blackburn, Preston, MN
Quilted By Maggie, Magpie Studios, Stewartville, MN
I know there are prairie fires but the concept of incorporating it into a quilt threw me for a loop. I sketched out a few ideas then just started cutting and sewing using what I had on hand plus the 3 given fabrics. At times I would get stuck, have to leave and come back later. A few mistakes, a few corrections, this is what I ended up with.  

Prairies are a living dream we wander in. So much life is intricately woven together. From its succession of flowers and grasses to its pollinators, predators and songbirds, the prairie is life itself. Renewed by fire and protected by the work of human hands, the prairie - and this quilt - reminds us that all life is interconnected.
Marge Loch-Wouters is a MN Master Naturalist volunteer, avid hiker and author of the blog Hiking the Driftless Trails.

Frontenac State Park, Bird Flyway
Pieced by Carolyn Bowles, Old Frontenac, MN
Quilted by Katie Glancy, Woodbury, MN
Pattern: “Blue Jay Way” by Abbey Lane Quilts
I combined elements to represent water, camping, vegetation, sky and birds.

Frontenac State Park has long been recognized as one of the best Minnesota State Parks for visitors focusing on observing a variety of birds.  About 260 species of birds have been identified over the years in the park. The first couple weeks in May is the prime time to observe high numbers of migrating birds.
Bruce Ause

Prairie Dreams
Pieced by Jan Bruce, Frontenac, MN
Quilted by Sandy Wieck, Lake City, MN
Pattern: “Into the Storm” by Toni Whitney
It’s easy to envision great herds of bison roaming the fields of prairie grass with high soft clouds moving slowly across the horizon. However, blue skies can turn black in a moment's notice on the open range as it did for this lone bison braving the storm.

Prior to European settlement, bison were common inhabitants in the area that is now Frontenac State Park. These bison were attracted to the vast areas of prairie maintained by Native Americans to provide a source of food.  Fires started by lightning or set by the indigenous people were what kept the area from being invaded by trees.
Bruce Ause

Eagles
Pieced, quilted and designed by Cindy Cordes
Inspired by all the eagles you see while at the park.

One of the most sought after bird sightings for visitors to the park is the bald eagle.  Eagles can be observed year round, but the highest number of sightings take place during the spring migration as Lake Pepin is starting to break up. Eagles take advantage of high numbers of dead gizzard shad which float to the surface as the ice breaks up.  It is not uncommon to observe 100 eagles feeding off Sand Point during this time of year.
Bruce Ause

Mariposa in Spirit Winds
Pieced and quilted and by Mary Ellen Halverson
Pattern: The Spirit Winds line of fabric was designed by George Mendoza. 
The border fabric used from this line is called “Window to the Soul”. The pattern by Heather Peterson is named Mariposa, Spanish for butterfly. This symbolizes transformation, beauty and freedom. I have loved raising Monarchs from the egg stage through to adulthood. Fascinating! I felt this was fitting for Prairie Dreams: Trail of Quilts.

Despite the fact that butterfly populations are declining, it is still possible to observe several different species in the park. The most exciting time to observe butterflies is mid-September when dozens of monarch butterflies are on their migration to wintering grounds in Mexico. At this time of year, monarchs stop and refuel on the nectar provided by the numerous goldenrod plants in the prairies.
Bruce Ause

Scenic Reflections
Pieced, quilted and designed by Charlotte Hansen, Rochester, MN
I took my husband for an outing to visit Frontenac State Park in September 2025. This quilt is a reflection of what we saw.

This quilt could be a marketing ad for Frontenac State Park. The soaring eagle above the trees and water. A bench to rest on. The meandering trail through the prairie. Tent and campfire for a night of quiet relaxation. All resting on the beautiful state of Minnesota. Very well done! Makes me want to go there.
Barb Partington is an avid outdoorsperson, woodcarver, painter and horse enthusiast.

Candlelight Skiing
Pieced and quilted by Tracie Henkel, Lake City, MN
Pattern: “Sky” by Zen Chic
The winter candlelight event at Frontenac State Park inspired my interpretation of earth (trekking across the prairie), wind (snowdrifts), and fire (candles).

For me, one of the key features of the prairies in Frontenac State Park is the vast horizon to horizon sky domed above and around me when I’m walking there. I know Tracie was thinking about the park’s candlelight event every winter when she made this quilt. But I see a winter sky filled with birds arrowing south in migration. From that point of view, it’s very cool how the arrangement of triangles suggests motion in this spare and elegant quilt.
Janet Malotky is a Master Naturalist volunteer and author of the Bird Notes column for the Frontenac State Park Association newsletter.

A Slice of the Prairie
Pieced, quilted and designed by Marge Kaufer, Zumbrota, MN
When I imagine the prairie, I see an endless blue sky, a garden of wildflowers and grasses teeming with life, all on a life-sustaining bed of nutrient rich soil.

I love that this quilt prominently features one of the most amazing things about the prairie: the incredible root systems that sustain prairie plants. While lawn grass has roots 2-4 inches in length, prairie grasses can have roots 15 feet deep! Marge gives these roots a jazzy and powerful interpretation that anchors the rest of this joyful depiction of life in the prairie.
Janet Malotky

A very nice display of a prairie. The colorful variety of flowers and plants all sustained by the rich soil, their roots going deep. The butterflies and bugs enjoying the prairies bounty. Good job!
Barb Partington

Whimsy on the Prairie
Pieced by Clare Larkin, Red Wing, MN
Quilted by Candy Keibel, Goodhue, MN
Pattern: Eric Carle; butterfly pattern for Andover Fabrics; purchased Missouri Star Quilt Co.
A whimsical depiction of two of nature's favorite inhabitants, from the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. Surrounded by the beauty of fireflies, cattails, and prairie flowers.

This collage quilt reminds me of my childhood summers.​ The fun, vibrant colors of this quilt​ bring joy, child-like wonder, a sense of discovery and​ transformation.  Within the quilt lie hints of the life cycle of the​ prairie and our own lives. The quilt’s illustration of Eric Carle’s​ "The Very Hungry Caterpillar​" book speaks to hope for the future​ of our children and the complexities of nature.
Lynne Staker’s love of nature’s mysteries comes from her mindful walking meditations that ground one in nature’s joy and peace. She is a member of the FSPA arts committee.

Summer Memories
Pieced and quilted by Becky Meyer, Rochester, MN
Patterns: Protea and Seed Pods by Laura Heine
I combined the two patterns and incorporated some whimsical additions. This collage quilt reminded me of my childhood summers.

I really enjoy the whimsical Dr. Seussian flowers in this quilt. Plus it's got all the hidden creatures tucked in here and there. Both of these things remind me of how I feel when walking in the prairies of Frontenac State Park: how rich the plant and animal life is, where I see something new and surprising on almost every walk. The closer you look, the more you see, and the more delightful the experience. This quilt captures that delight. 
Janet Malotky

The eye-catching flowers are enchanting. The dragonflies and butterflies feel like they can be fluttering around. Look closer, the bugs, worms, ants…...there is so much activity happening. This project makes me smile!
Barb Partington

Flurry of Flowers
Pieced and quilted by Karen Ryan, Beloit, WI
Pattern: Panel quilt using hexagons
This is my first attempt at using hexagons in a quilt and it was a fun project!

My favorite thing about this quilt is how alive and bursting with color it is, not unlike our prairies! The inclusion of roots along with the diversity of insects and birds also caused it to catch my eye. And I’m a sucker for hexagons, which, as everyone knows, are the best-agons, so seeing a prairie done in that style was nifty! 
Jake Gaster has been the Frontenac State Park manager for the past six years. This is his first professional interaction with quilts, and he hopes it won’t be his last!

Where Fire Breathes the Prairie Awakes
Pieced and designed by Sandy Siewert, Zumbro Falls, MN
Quilted by Lorrie Sonnek, Red Wing, MN
Controlled burns rejuvenate native prairies.

All of the quilts in the show are innovative, and many are simply stunning. "Where Fire Breathes the Prairie Awake” completely captivated me. The fabrics used to convey fire, prairie and sky are perfect, and the images honor the importance of controlled burns to keep Frontenac State Park's prairies native and beautiful. It's perfect.
Pamela Miller, Master Naturalist volunteer and editor of the Frontenac State Park Association newsletter

This quilt incorporates a prairie’s elemental aspects of earth, wind, and fire. The randomness of the fire. The charcoal grey of ash. The quilting and coloring on the sky/smoke/clouds is realistic. Very cool!
Barb Partington

Prairie Solitude
Pieced and quilted by Debbie Stegemann, Wabasha, MN
Pattern:  Inspired by Canyon Dance by Tracy Trevethan Designs, I changed it up a bit and added a silhouette of a tree
This quilt came together as I thought about the prairie. I thought about earth, grass, wheat fields, the sky, wide open spaces and the solitude that can be experienced by people

In my mind, this quilt is a great depiction of an oak savanna. It highlights the park’s lovely tallgrass prairies with scattered oak trees. When I find myself looking for solitude and reflection, I enjoy walking through the park’s prairies and being humbled by the large, mature oaks we have at Frontenac State Park.
Amy Jay, Assistant Park Manager at Frontenac State Park since 2022. Constantly learning all things plants and animals. Passionate about human interaction with the great outdoors.  

The Quilters

We are so grateful to the 123 quilters who pieced together their quilts and shared their dreams of the prairie: Janell Adler, Valerie Ahlers, Ruth Allen, Kathy Ause, Gloria Bahr, Deborah Barber, Michelle Baringer, Cecelia Bauer, Pam Bauman, Judy Boehm, Kelley Berwick, Cheryl Birk-Perkinson, Deb Blackburn, Sandy Bodin, Barb Borglum, Carolyn Bowles, Ann Brenke, Joni Brooks, Jan Bruce, Susan Bulawa, Linda Buysse, Sharon Camburn, Margaret Carothers, Gay Casper, Diane Caspers, Pam Christopherson, Constance Clark, Rita Clark, Cindy Cordes, Mary Ellen Cordes, Stephanie Dahmen, Sandra Danckwart, BJ Danielson, Sue Davidson, Kristi Deppa, Celia Domeyer, Janet Dornfeld, Lonnie Drahos, Connie Ducklow, Virginia Duden, Stephanie Dworschak, Linda Edd, Judy Edwards, Deb Eickhoff, Robin Ender, Sandy Evans, Susan Connell Fahey, Bonnie Fohrman, Sharon Fowler, Vickie Fry, Faye Gabrielson, Pamela Geerdes, Carol Graves, Leslie Hall, Mary Ellen Halverson, Susan Handwerk, Charlotte Hansen, Tracie Henkel, May Himlie, Becky Hinrichs, Elaine Hoffarth, Annette Huntoon, Chandra Hutchens, Marge Kaufer, Ann Kendrick, Candy Kiebel, Joanne Krig, Clare Larkin, Connie Larson, Debbie Lawell, Deann Gerold Lindstrom, Rosemary Martin, Barbara Masyga, Julie McDevitt, Connie McDonald, Becky Meyer, Elaine Miller, Bridget Mueller, Mary Nelson, Ann Nibbe, Darline Niess, Debra Ninas, Joyce Nolting, Karen O'Rourke, Julie Peterson, Karen Peterson, Margaret Peterson, Judy Plank, Lynn M. Quast, Rita Radil, Joy Deborah Robison, Janet (Nettie) Runions, Maureen Ruskell, Jolyne Rutz, Judy Rutz, Karen Ryan, Ann Schafer, Elaine Scharpen, Barbara Reed Schroeder, Deborah Schroeder, Irene Schultz, Kathy Seifert, Sandy Siewert, Susan R. Smith, Joy Spaeth, Mary Spencer, Alice Staker, Sawyer Staker, Alice Staker, Debbie Stegemann, Bea Terbovich, Linda Theisen, Ann Thill, Marsha Turvold, Peggy VanHouten, Jane Ward, Bonnie Weber, Sandy Wieck, Nancy Wille, Michelle Willihnganz, Cheryl Youngbauer, Linda J. Zarling, Nancy Zimmerman

Bring the Kids Too

We have a scavenger hunt that will be fun for everyone. Plus Kathy Ause will be reading from her new children’s book, The Blufftop Adventures of Minnie the Goat, at 11 am and 1 pm in the big tent at the top of the hill at the entrance to the trail. Heck, bring the whole family and your neighbors.

Vote

You can let us know what you think, in part, by voting for a People’s Choice Award and by answering a few questions about your experience. Everyone who fills out a brief questionnaire will be entered in a drawing for a free MN State Parks annual pass. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will also receive a pass. Forms - and the scavenger hunt - available at the info tent, top of the hill, at the beginning of the Trail of Quilts.

Weather + Walking

Have we said Prairie Dreams is outdoors? The Trail of Quilts is a ⅓ mile, mowed grass trail along a prairie-forest border. Ideally, you will walk it in both directions for best viewing of all the quilts, which will be hung back-to-back, but you can exit at the end, if you want. Walking shoes are recommended. We will be monitoring the weather closely. Our rain date is the following Saturday, June 20. Check our website for updated information.

Parting Shots

See you Saturday.