Modern Quilting an Art

RIPON, Wis. (WRPN) – Town Square Community Center in Green Lake is proud to present local artist and modern quilter Janelle Vogler as the featured Lobby Artist for September.

A Green Lake native who returned to her hometown in 2023 with her husband and their two children, Janelle brings a contemporary twist to one of the most traditional and beloved art forms: quilting.

Janelle began quilting in 2015, discovering the craft as a creative outlet after graduate school. A self-taught artist, she has explored numerous quilting styles over the years, but found her true artistic voice through the modern quilting movement — a genre that emphasizes bold design, improvisation, and pushing traditional boundaries.

For Janelle, quilting is not only a source of joy and self-expression, but also a grounding practice in the rhythm of parenting and her work as a healthcare provider.

“My work reflects the joyful, layered, and improvisational nature of this season in my life,” says Vogler. “Modern quilting allows me to experiment, to challenge myself creatively, and to stay connected with a community of makers who value both beauty and meaning.”

Her exhibit includes standout pieces such as “GTFO,” a powerful, collaborative quilt that uses rainbow hues and raw-edge appliqué to make a bold statement on reproductive rights. The piece was juried into QuiltCon 2024, the largest modern quilting show in the world.

Other highlights include “Geese Off Grid,” which reimagines traditional layouts with improvisational flair; “Made You Look,” a study in color and value; and “Thready Mess,” which incorporates fabric from her own wedding dress and draws inspiration from the Bauhaus movement.