Community quilt celebrates spirit of Lancastrians; Curated by Debra Simon Art Consulting
LANCASTER, Pa. – Amtrak has commissioned an art installation to be featured at Lancaster Station in Pennsylvania. Entitled “A Place for Every Piece: Lancaster’s Living Quilt,” this art installation tells the story of the people of Lancaster through fabric donated by more than 100 local residents, using the historic Lancaster Station to celebrate both the city’s rich heritage and dynamic present.
The quilt project is part of Art at Amtrak®, the acclaimed public art program of Amtrak, which presents diverse, unique and memorable art projects to enhance, invigorate and humanize the travel experience at Amtrak stations. Amtrak, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), is partnering with the City of Lancaster Public Art program to display this work.
“Amtrak is honored to showcase this collaborative quilt project by the Lancaster community at our station,” said Art at Amtrak Director Sharon Tepper. “We hope ’A Place for Every Piece’ will serve as a point of pride for residents and a fascinating attraction for visitors, leaving a lasting impression on all who pass through the station.”
“As artists deeply rooted in Lancaster’s creative community, we’re honored to create a project that is a true collaboration between us, community organizations, and most importantly, the hundreds of residents who shared pieces of their lives through donated fabrics and memories,” said artist Libby Modern. “What has emerged is a powerful representation of how art can build genuine connections and strengthen our sense of community.”
Lancaster Station opened in 1929 and today it is served by Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian trains, which are financed primarily through funds made available by PennDOT.
🎨 Artwork Background: Last fall, local artists Libby Modern and Jill C. Good collected contributions of textiles and fabrics from the community to create a living quilt made up of fabric and stories from Lancaster residents.
While traditionally known for its Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, today Lancaster is home to a vibrant mix of communities and cultures. This diversity is reflected in the city’s aesthetics, businesses, religious institutions, community organizations, and public events, creating a rich mix of traditions, languages, and experiences. “A Place for Every Piece” reimagines all aspects of Lancaster coming together as a living quilt.
The project is designed to unfold in two interconnected phases: 16 large-scale windows will be covered with art-inspired designs of the quilt, which are set to be installed later this spring, complemented by the collaborative community effort to create a real accompanying quilt, which is currently on display at Lancaster Station. The station’s display cases have historically served as a mode for celebrating local artists and arts organizations through an annually scheduled rotation of exhibitions, curated by the City of Lancaster’s Office of Public Art.
🧵 About the Artists: Libby Modern is an artist and designer based in Lancaster, focusing on the intersection of art and graphic design to address social and community issues. At Modern Art, her storefront art studio, Modern runs both an award-winning design business focused on innovative communications strategies for non-profit organizations, and a socially engaged art practice dedicated to public outreach and neighborhood engagement.
Jill C. Good is a full-time quilter and textile artist from Lancaster. Inspired by the quilt-making traditions of Lancaster County and rooted deeply in improvisational and modern re-conceptions of the craft, Good’s work has grown an appreciative audience through several solo exhibitions, shared gallery space, and private commissions.