Kansas Quilt Walk
Quilts kept our ancestors warm and allowed our great grandmothers to express themselves with beautiful fabrics, fine needlework and meaningful patters. Great Bend's walking tour, Kansas Quilt Walk located in Downtown Great Bend on the sidewalks surrounding the Courthouse Square, is a tribute to those women and their creations. The Rocky Road to Kansas pattern is the oldest pattern shown in the quilt walk and dates back to the Santa Fe Trail.

Click below to open a PDF file with more information on the Kansas Quilt Walk and quilt pattern designs.

Quilt Walk/Mural Brochure

For quilt walk map, click here.

For quilt patterns, click on the pattern: Kansas Sunflower, Windmill, Rocky Road to Kansas, Kansas, Kansas Star, Farmer's Daughter, Kansas Trouble

Great Bend Mural Project

You don't have to visit a museum to find art in Great Bend! Murals decorate the walls of many buildings in the downtown area. Painted by high school students, community volunteers, senior citizens, professional artists, and children, the murals are tied together by themes relating to Great Bend past and present.

Sign of the Times ~ a fun and colorful view of what the “good ole days” might have looked like in Great Bend ~ Painted by L. Caldwell and A. Mayfield and located at the corner of 7th & Main.

El Baile/The Dance ~ Diversity is the theme of this mural. The many cultures which enrich Great Bend are shown kicking up their heels in traditional style ~ Painted by D. Loewenstein and located on Main Street between 10th & 11th.

Migration ~ The mural was conceived and completed by local high school art students in conjunction with D. Loewenstein, and depicts elements of Great Bend’s culture along with a spectacular representation of water fowl in flight over a quilt pattern of farm land. Comet Hale-Bopp also makes a cameo appearance in the mural since it was visible while the mural was being painted. ~ Located on the corner of Main & 16th.

Clara Barton ~ This “postage stamp” mural honors both the building which it decorates – the United States Post Office and Clara Barton, the woman for whom Barton County was named. Clara Barton was a civil war nurse and organized the American Red Cross. ~ Painted by D. Loewenstein and located on the corner of 16 & Williams.

Something for Everyone ~ A tribute to the agricultural history of the area and the Barton County Fair held every July at the Expo area just west of town. The County Fair has 4-H judged events, livestock, a carnival, music, fun, food…”something for everyone”. ~ Painted by L. Caldwell and A. Mayfield and located on Williams between 16th & 17th St.

Santa Fe Trail ~ The mural decorates the Senior Center and is a memorial to Howard Quigg who was one of their most dedicated volunteers. The Senior Center and the Recreation Commission partnered with Park Elementary School for its painting. This mural is an intergenerational project which brought together the services of many talented volunteer seniors at the senior center and over 60 Park Elementary School children. ~ Located on Kansas Street between 20th & 21st Streets.

The Lions Mural ~ A total of 56 youths ranging in age from 5 to 16 years joined with the Great Bend Recreation Commission staff to create this mural. During the beginning stages of this mural, children learned about the African jungle, the people and the African culture. Through this experience, the children were charged with the task of designing their own African masks. The children then transferred their masks to ceramic tiles and painted them with a ceramic paint and fired in a kiln. The children’s tiles now adorn the corners of the Lions Mural. The mural’s design was transferred to the walls by GBRC staff, and the children spent the summer painting the designs. The mural is dedicated to the children of Great Bend. ~ Located in Brit Spaugh Park.

The North American Mural ~ The Recreation Commission Summer Program enrolled 55 children to paint this mural which features a variety of North American animals. The theme of this mural was developed through suggestions of Park Department personnel. Younger children painted in the mornings, intermediate and older students painted in the hot and humid afternoons. Many of the students painted on the Lions Mural and returned to contribute their talents on the North American Mural. ~ Located in the Brit Spaugh Park.

The Tiger Murals ~ In 2001, the children of Great Bend through the Great Bend Recreation Commission (GBRC) created these four tiger murals. This project was done in cooperation with the City of Great Bend, the Park Department, and the GBRC ~ Located in the Brit Spaugh Park.

Happy Trails ~ The American Cowboy has a full and rich history which spans from the early days of settlement in the western frontier to the Hollywood movie set and all are featured in this mural. ~ Painted by D. Loewenstein and located on the corner of 10th & Washington.