The fourth annual Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival, WEWA, offers visitors a chance to learn from some of the world’s most renowned quiltmakers whose quilts are celebrated as some of the most significant artistic contributions to American art history.
For their first time at WEWA, Gee’s Bend Quilters will offer a three-hour workshop, allowing participants to learn the basics of quilting and create a 12×12 quilt as a unique keepsake. The quilting workshop will run from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 25 during the festival, which is presented by the Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts.
The workshop, which costs $100, is capped at 30 participants and registration is available online at the WEWA website.
“We are thrilled that the quilters from Gee’s Bend will be in Wetumpka to share their incredible artistry at the festival this year,” said Jennifer Eifert, director of The Kelly. “These truly are world-class artists whose work has garnered international acclaim. The ability to learn from them and interact with them on a personal level is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Gee’s Bend quilters have garnered international fame for their quilt-making, which led to the creation of the Airing of the Quilts Festival in Gee’s Bend held earlier this month. Gee’s Bend quilters provide a living history of the area’s quilt-making, as well as the community’s connection to the Clotilda, the last American slave ship, and the American Civil Rights Movement.
“The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival gives the attendees the opportunity to participate in quilting workshops and engage with the storied community and artisans of Gee’s Bend. They will teach the art of quilt-making, and educate others about the cultural, historic and artistic importance of their community and the people who live there,” said Kim V. Kelly, executive director of the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy.
Admission to the 2025 Wetumpka Arts Festival is free, but some premium workshops – like the quilting workshop – require a reservation and carry an admission price. Other workshops include a basket making workshop and a fall gardening presentation.
The festival also features live painting by five artists, a birds-of-prey demonstration by Raptor’s Ridge Wildlife Education, “Animal Encounters” from the Alabama Wildlife Federation and a bow-making presentation by Skip Plumlee. River Dan and Joe Hare highlight the scheduled musical entertainment.
Sporting dog demonstrations will be offered by four groups – Covey Flush, Madison and Co. Dog Trainers, Artemis Runs Kennel, and Golbeck Gundogs.
Running through November 8, visitors to the Kelly can also enjoy the “Art Gone Wild” art exhibition.
DockDogs returns to the festival, with action on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25, in downtown Wetumpka, and includes three separate events:
- Big Air – the first sport of DockDogs, this is the long jump of canine aquatics.
- Extreme Vertical – considered the high jump of canine aquatics.
- Speed Retrieve – a timed discipline involving the combination of run, jump, swim and retrieve.
The DockDogs Big Air final in the pro, semi pro, contender and amateur divisions is scheduled for October 25 at 3 p.m.
The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association will also have members from the four-time championship fishing team from the University of Montevallo’s President’s Outdoor Scholars Program offering casting lessons at its WEWA booth. Youth participants will take home a Zebco Ready Pack rod and reel.
“We are happy to bring the quilters from Gee’s Bend to Wetumpka for the annual wildlife arts festival,” said Alabama Black Belt Adventures Director Pam Swanner, whose organization supports WEWA and the annual Airing of the Quilts Festival. “These resourceful ladies from Gee’s Bend are a true Black Belt treasure, and I know the participants in the quilting workshop will walk away with their own memorable piece of fabric art.”
For more information about the festival, visit: https://thekelly.org/wewa/.
