Lorna Brown joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the upcoming 35th Anniversary Quilt Show in Bishop Hill this weekend. Quilters and art enthusiasts can now explore the 2025 Bishop Hill Quilt Show at the Bishop Hill Colony School in Bishop Hill. The event celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Bishop Hill Quilt Show, which takes place May 16th through 18th. The main display, featuring a diverse array of quilts, will be at the Colony School. Admission to Colony School is $5, with doors open Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM. On Friday, attendees will select the winners from five categories. Each year, the Prairie Queen Quilt Club members select a charity to support by providing homemade quilts and part of the proceeds from the quilt show. This year, the group is supporting GROW Ministries in Cambridge, which provides shelter for women who are homeless or abused.
This special exhibit is free to the public, though donations are appreciated, and will remain open throughout the month during regular hours at the Steeple Building Museum, located at 103 North Bishop Hill Street. The quilt show was started 35 years ago by Betty Robertson and Marilyn Nelson, who both owned and operated quilt shops in Bishop Hill in the mid-1980s. The Bishop Art Council helped sponsor the event until 1990, when the Prairie Queen Quilt Club branched out on its own.
In the heart of the community, GROW Ministries is making a difference for women in crisis. The organization offers a safe haven to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and addiction, providing essential services such as a dedicated women’s shelter program and an accessible resource center. Women seeking help will find free food, clothing, furniture, household items, and appliances—all vital for rebuilding lives. Staff and volunteers at GROW Ministries work tirelessly to empower survivors, helping them take important steps toward recovery and independence. With each donation and act of support, GROW continues to light a path toward hope and healing.