Lancaster Station in Pennsylvania is now home to a unique art installation titled “A Place for Every Piece: Lancaster’s Living Quilt.” This project celebrates the stories of Lancaster’s residents, brought to life through fabrics donated by over 100 local contributors. The historic station serves as the backdrop for this piece, blending the city’s rich heritage with its vibrant modern identity.
Part of Amtrak’s Art at Amtrak® initiative, this installation enhances the station experience by showcasing local creativity. Developed in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the City of Lancaster’s Public Art Program, the project is a testament to the power of community-driven art.
Local artists Libby Modern and Jill C. Good spearheaded the quilt’s creation. Fabric contributions were gathered last fall, each piece carrying the personal stories and memories of Lancaster residents. Together, these textiles form a “living quilt,” reflecting the diversity of the city’s cultures, traditions, and experiences.
The project unfolds in two phases. Sixteen large windows at the station will soon feature art-inspired designs of the quilt, set to be installed later this spring. Meanwhile, the actual quilt, created through the collaborative effort, is already on display at Lancaster Station. The station has long celebrated local artistry through rotating exhibitions, curated by the City of Lancaster’s Office of Public Art.
Lancaster Station itself, opened in 1929, remains a key hub for Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian trains, supported primarily by PennDOT.
The Artists Behind the Quilt
- Libby Modern, a Lancaster-based artist and designer, focuses on the intersection of graphic design and community engagement. From her studio, Modern Art, she runs an award-winning design business for nonprofits while pursuing public art projects aimed at fostering social connections.
- Jill C. Good, a full-time textile artist, reimagines Lancaster’s quilting traditions through a modern lens. Her improvisational approach has earned her recognition through gallery exhibitions and private commissions.
“A Place for Every Piece” stands as a symbol of Lancaster’s diverse community, brought together in a collective expression of art and identity.