Appalachian Center, Doris Ulmamnn Galleries hosting Granny Squares Workshop

March 12, 2025

By Brooke Donley

BEREA, Ky. - The Loyal Jones Appalachian Center (LJAC) and the Doris Ulmann Galleries will host a Granny Squares and Crochet Applique Workshop on Friday, March 14 at 3 p.m. in the Lower Traylor Gallery of the Rogers-Traylor Art Building on campus.

This event will mark the end of the exhibition “Picturing Appalachia: Views from the Permanent Collection” located in the master gallery. This exhibition told the story of those who lived in or traveled through the Appalachian region. The artwork aimed to show the region’s landscape, craft, labor and people. 

The Granny Squares and Applique workshop takes inspiration from the artwork of Granny Donaldson. Donaldson created artwork by making granny squares and baby blankets that displayed the region surrounding North Carolina, where she was from. This is where Donaldson began to make her artwork. Before she created her artwork, she had never seen anything like it and she never took ideas from anyone else. Donaldson’s “Cow Blanket,” which inspired the event, can be viewed in the Master’s Gallery.

The centers welcome people of all crocheting skill levels to join the event to learn how to make granny squares. All necessary supplies will be provided. Participants should email Kelsey Malone at malonek2@berea.edu to reserve a spot in the workshop; space is limited.