Quilts are more than just warmth on a cold winter’s night. According to Sue Kudronowicz, quilts have the ability to hold memories and tell a story. As the volunteer coordinator of the Walls of Wittenberg’s (WOW) annual quilt show, she has a true appreciation for the art form.
“I’m not a quilter,” said Kudronowicz, a member of Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative. “I probably wouldn’t be your first choice for running a quilt show if you saw my sewing.”
But what Kudronowicz does bring is an artist’s eye. “That might actually be an asset because I look at the overall display of the quilts and the art part of it,” she said. “I don’t get too wrapped up in how many stitches per inch a quilt has.”
She also appreciates a quilt’s ability to tell a story. The theme of this year’s show, held at the WOWSPACE in Wittenberg, is “A Patchwork of Memories.”
“When you sleep under a quilt, you sleep under a blanket of love,” said Kudronowicz of the show’s tagline. “People need to know that yes, you can go to Target and buy a blanket much cheaper, but these are labors of love.”
Kudronowicz recalls a quilt entered that had a John Deere theme. It was created in honor of the quilter’s father, a farmer, who had just passed away. Another quilt was created by a woman who was in an all-girl band in the ‘60s and ‘70s that depicted music through the years. Another was created by a quilting group in honor of three of the group’s members who had passed away in the previous year.
Kudronowicz stresses that quilts are generally not created just for the show; rather, they are inspirations of their own. They don’t even have to be new.
“My grandmother hand-sewed a quilt in the 1930s… I put that one in last year in memory of my grandma,” she said.
The Walls of Wittenberg’s annual quilt show is themed “A Patchwork of Memories” and runs January 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and February 1, 2026, at the WOWSPACE in Wittenberg. Quilts from past years’ shows indeed hold memories. One quilt celebrated music through the decades, created by a woman who once played in an all-girl band in the ’60s and ’70s. Another honored three quilting guild members who passed away in the same year, with a heartfelt ceremony for their families. It is now on display at the Hatley Public Library. The third told a farmer’s story—a John Deere-themed quilt stitched in memory of a father who had recently passed away.
Walls of Wittenberg
When Highway 29 bypassed Wittenberg years ago, the small town faced a challenge: how to bring people back. One visionary, Lois Smith, had an answer—art. In 2005, she helped launch Walls of Wittenberg, a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to revitalizing the community through creativity. “Their goal is to promote the arts with murals and sculptures. They also do art shows, concerts, community events, and plays,” explains Kudronowicz. “It is all volunteer.”
Over the past two decades, Walls of Wittenberg has transformed the town into an artistic destination. The highlight and biggest draw are the vibrant outdoor murals that line the streets. They depict the town’s local heritage and imagination. But the creativity doesn’t stop at the walls. At the heart of this movement is WOWSPACE, a historic building turned cultural hub.
“WOWSPACE is actually an old building that has been renovated,” Kudronowicz said. “It’s got the tin ceilings, hardwood floors, big high windows, and tall doors. It is the most beautiful space.” Originally constructed in the late 1800s, the building was restored about 15 years ago and now serves as the venue for nearly all Walls of Wittenberg events—from art exhibits and concerts to theatrical performances and, of course, the annual quilt show.
The space itself feels like a work of art. Original wood floors and towering windows flood the gallery with light, creating an inviting atmosphere for artists and visitors alike. “If you ever get to Wittenberg, you should stop,” Kudronowicz said. “It’s amazing.”
Community Support
All activities associated with the Walls of Wittenberg group, including the quilt show, are a true community effort—one that pulled Kudronowicz in.
“My husband and I moved to the Wittenberg area about two and a half years ago, and I got invited to go to one of the [WOW] meetings and become a member. There’s such a wonderful group of people that do all this work that I joined the group.”
The annual quilt show isn’t powered by paid staff—it thrives on volunteer energy and local generosity. “It is all volunteer,” says Kudronowicz, who organizes the event. “I could not do this by myself. My name’s on here because I’m the contact person. However, I’m not doing this by myself.”
From designing posters to arranging displays, volunteers pitch in to make the show possible. Sponsors play an equally vital role. “If I didn’t have the sponsors, I don’t know how we would run the show,” said Kudronowicz. Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative is among those that step up, providing resources that keep the event accessible. “They’ve been great to sponsor us and help us.”
WOWSPACE is the heart of Walls of Wittenberg—a beautifully renovated historic building with tin ceilings, original hardwood floors, and towering windows that flood the gallery with light. Once an old structure, it now hosts art shows, concerts, plays, and community events year-round. “It is the most beautiful space,” said quilt show organizer Sue Kudronowicz. “If you ever get to Wittenberg, you should stop.” Instead of formal judging, quilt show visitors decide the winners through a People’s Choice vote, dropping tickets beside their favorite quilts. The prizes are as creative as the show—handmade baskets, embroidered ribbons, fabric store gift cards, and even chocolate.
Unique Twist
Unlike traditional quilt shows, Wittenberg’s event puts the power in visitors’ hands. “We do a people’s choice. We don’t hire somebody to come in and judge the quilts,” said Kudronowicz. Guests vote for their favorites, making the experience interactive and fun. Prizes are just as special as the quilts themselves—handmade baskets, embroidered ribbons, fabric store gift cards, and even chocolate, because, as Kudronowicz laughs, “you can never have too much chocolate.”
Beyond voting, visitors can admire quilts of all sizes, from baby blankets to wall hangings, and even enter raffles for a chance to take home a quilt.
“I think quilting is evolving… It’s going to have a resurgence like knitting and crocheting,” said Kudronowicz.
“I hope visitors walk away with an appreciation of the art form.”—Dana Kelroy, photos courtesy of the Walls of Wittenberg
WOWSPACE is located at 114 Vinal Street, Wittenberg, WI. More information is available by calling 715-253-3525 or visiting www.wallsofwittenberg.com. The quilt show runs January 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and February 1, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.