We are so thankful for the sponsorship of Tennessee Quilts, making it possible for Donna Sue to join us during our Celebration weekend. Come and meet her Friday night at the Embree House Benefit Dinner, and Saturday for her book signing at Tennessee Quilts, 114 Boone St. Jonesborough.
Donna Sue Groves works as a consultant and adviser for artists, art organizations and communities throughout southern Ohio. She provides technical assistance and leadership in developing partnerships that strengthen the region culturally, educationally and economically.
From 1994 -1999, she was Field Coordinator for Ohio’s Appalachian Arts Initiative; which led to the creation of the position of Southern Ohio Field Representative for the Ohio Arts Council, a job she held until June 2008. Her most recent passion, which began in 2001 with the launch of the Ohio Quilt Barn Project, has been assisting and mentoring the development and emergence of a nation-wide quilt barn trail encompassing twenty-seven states across the United States.
The Quilt Trail model has caught the attention of people all around the world and Donna Sue’s story has been passed by word-of-mouth, shared in numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and is profiled by filmmakers Julianne Donofrio and John Sanders for their project “The Hardest Year“. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUUbPYgNgL0 The American Quilt Trail now encompasses forty-five states across the United States along with Ontario, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, Canada.
With writer Suzi Parron she co-authored Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement (2012, Ohio University Press), available here.
Groves’ team spirit has earned her a support network comprised of the most knowledgeable and experienced nonprofit managers, artists, consultants, administrators, and leaders in Ohio and around the nation. Her greatest strength is her ability to bring out the best in people and to draw upon others’ experience when challenged with a new situation. She has an intimate understanding and respect for Appalachian people and rural issues. She is a “facilitator of opportunities” through the arts, and her vision for possibilities is unlimited.
For more than forty years, Donna Sue has participated in the process of building civic and community capacity at the grass roots level. As a Xenia City Commissioner she assisted in the planning process to rebuild Xenia, Ohio after the devastating 1974 tornado. She served three years with the National Corporation for Service (Volunteers in Service to America) VISTA program.
Donna Sue has been honored as a recipient of the 2001 Friends of Southern State Community College; 2004 Jenco Foundation Inspirational Service Arts Award; 2004 as an Outstanding Philanthropist by the Foundation for Appalachia Ohio; 2006 Sinclair College Wayne White – Unsung Hero Award; and the 2010 Friend of the Arts by Ohio’s Appalachian Country. Most recently she was honored as Ohio’s 2010 Governor’s Award for the Arts in Community Development and Partnerships.
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