By Barbara A. Preston | Posted March 11, 2025
Central New Jersey, and especially Montgomery Township, is home to plenty of properties with old barns. A new local nonprofit arts organization plans to celebrate this agricultural history with the launch of a Barn Quilt Trail project.
The NJ Arts Incubator, a nonprofit based in Montgomery and led by artist Karen Tuveson, recently launched a public art initiative designed to transform rural landscapes and historic barns into colorful canvases celebrating Central New Jersey’s rich agricultural heritage, tapestry of cultural influences, and regional artistic talent, she said.
A Barn Quilt Trail is coming to Montgomery Township and central New Jersey. Above is an image of a barn with quilt. Image courtesy of NJ Arts Incubator.
The project will invite residents and visitors on a creative journey along a scenic route dotted with beautifully crafted barn quilts. Each approximately 8-foot by 8-foot installation, crafted by regional artists, will reinterpret traditional barn quilt designs by incorporating cultural and historical references that become symbols of community pride and artistic expression.
“The trail will not only enhance the region’s visual appeal, but also serve as an interactive cultural map, guiding explorers through the stories behind each artwork and the history of the sites they adorn,” Tuveson said.
“By combining our beautiful local barns with thoughtful works of art, we’re creating a dynamic conversation between our past and our present. This project is a tribute to our local heritage and an invitation for community members to engage with art in an accessible, outdoor setting.”
Karen Tuveson at a local art show.
As a cornerstone of NJ Arts Incubator’s commitment to community engagement and public art, the Barn Quilt Trail of Central Jersey is designed as a five-year project, with each year focusing on a different region of Central Jersey. It will offer an inspiring opportunity for local artists to showcase their talent while uniting communities in support of the arts.
Currently, six sites in Montgomery are in the final stages of confirmation, and there is an open call for applications from professional New Jersey artists or artist teams experienced in public art. The artist selection committee, comprised entirely of community members, has been finalized.
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Potential sites are chosen so the art can be enjoyed from a nearby public road or parking lot—allowing residents and visitors to appreciate the installations without trespassing on private property.
Details will be updated on the organization’s website, local media, and on social media, where behind-the-scenes insights and progress updates will be regularly shared.
The Barn Quilt Trail of Central Jersey has been made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the NJ State Council on the Arts.
“In addition, we extend a heartfelt thanks to the Wess Family and the Blodgett Family—esteemed public arts advocates—whose generous private support has been instrumental in bringing this project to life,” Tuveson said. “Their contributions will help realize six installations across Montgomery Township in 2025.”
Example of a barn quilt.
Visit NJArtsIncubator.org for more information. ■
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