Community Quilt Mural Project to Transform Downtown Washington Alley

Washington, Ind. — September 12, 2025 — A unique community art project is bringing new life to downtown Washington. The back wall of The Stitching Post, a cherished local business, is being transformed into a Community Quilt Mural, turning an act of graffiti into a symbol of creativity, resilience, and togetherness.

The initiative, led by Discover Downtown Washington in partnership with the Daviess County Arts & Culture Alliance, has focused on volunteer recruitment, business sponsorship, and community engagement to stitch this paint-by-numbers mural project together. This Saturday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the organizations are inviting the public to take part in painting the mural and leaving their mark on downtown Washington.

This mural is part of a larger alley beautification project, as the alley behind The Stitching Post connects directly to The Commons—a $3.2 million downtown investment completed at the end of 2024. The project builds on this momentum by creating a vibrant, walkable corridor that links local businesses, public art, and community spaces.

The Daviess County Arts & Culture Alliance traces its beginnings to 2024, when leading members attended the Indiana Arts Commission’s Creative Convergence conference. The experience, paired with a $10,000 grant award, sparked the inception of the group and the first conversations about how to bring more arts-driven projects to the community. Since then, the Alliance has supplied local schools with art display racks and supplies, created a county-wide coloring book hand-drawn by local artists, supported artist fees for the Town of Montgomery mural—and the Community Quilt Mural will be the final project of the year.

“September is National Sewing Month, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by stitching our community together through art,” said Brandy Weiland, Discover Downtown Washington’s Executive Director. “This project shows how creativity can turn challenges into opportunities, while giving everyone in the community a chance to take part.”

“This mural isn’t just about covering a wall—it’s about weaving together the stories, hands, and talents of our community,” added Lori Morton, lead artist on the project, and member of the Alliance. “When people walk by this artwork, we hope they’ll see themselves reflected in the quilt of Washington.”

The project has been carefully planned in phases:

• Phase 1: With help from Bruce Croak at Superior Window Cleaning and Cub Scouts Troop 410, the wall was power-washed, primed, and painted with a base coat.

• Phase 2: Local artists outlined a quilt-inspired design that reflects community pride.

• Phase 3: Community members are invited to pick up a brush and paint a piece of the mural, contributing directly to this lasting piece of public art.

• Phase 4: Alliance members will add final touches and a border around the mural and phrase “A Community Stitched Together” by local artists Rob Bartlett.

The Community Quilt Mural represents more than just a fresh coat of paint—it symbolizes unity, creativity, and the spirit of Washington while enhancing the heart of downtown.

For more information, please contact Brandy Weiland at [email protected] or visit www.discoverdowntownwashington.com.