A vibrant symbol of creativity and community spirit will make its debut this Saturday at Pennington Day, as Toll Gate Grammar School unveils a collaborative quilt crafted by every student in the school through an Artist-in-Residence program.
The project, inspired in part by Pennington’s ties to quilting, was spearheaded by art teacher Justine Rosikiewicz and brought to life with the help of Pennington-based textile artist Janneke Van Der Ree. Funded through a grant from the Hopewell Valley Education Foundation, the program introduced students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade to the art of quilting—many for the first time.
“It was important to create the quilt with the students so they could take part in the process and feel a sense of pride, ownership, and community,” said Rosikiewicz. “This hands-on experience created new pathways for learning about their local history, artistic expression, and each other.”
Pennington has long used quilting to honor civic and cultural milestones. In the 1970s, residents created two commemorative quilts that still reflect the borough’s identity today: the Pennington Methodist Church Bicentennial Quilt (1974–75), and the Pennington U.S. Bicentennial Quilt (1976). Those pieces stitched together stories of community life—much as the Toll Gate quilt does now, one square at a time.
The Toll Gate quilt will be on display as part of the Hopewell Valley Quilters Annual Pennington Day Show, held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. The show, which requests a $1 donation for entry, features a wide array of traditional and contemporary quilts from across the region. Attendees can vote for their favorite piece in the show, with the Viewers’ Choice Prize donated by Pennington Quilt Works. Hopewell Valley Quilters, a group that has met for more than 35 years, hosts the event and welcomes new members to its regular gatherings at the Mercer County Library’s Hopewell Township branch.
The residency began in the fall with a schoolwide clothing collection day dubbed “Mix It Up Monday,” in which students brought in colorful garments and old school shirts to be repurposed. In October, Van Der Ree hosted assemblies to introduce students to quilting techniques and the cultural legacy of quilts in Pennington. That same month, she and Rosikiewicz conducted a full week of art classes devoted to quilt making, assisted by parent and grandparent volunteers.
“Every child made a part of the quilt,” Van Der Ree said. “I met every student, and it was wonderful to see how excited they were to contribute. A lot of them even started asking for sewing machines for Christmas.”
Older students had the opportunity to use a sewing machine, while younger students cut fabric, sorted buttons, or helped with layout and embellishments. A schoolwide design contest shaped the final look of the quilt, incorporating imagery submitted by dozens of children—some featuring gators (Toll Gate’s mascot), fish, and other animals.
“The students really connected with Pennington’s quilting tradition and the sense of belonging that came from working side-by-side with classmates, parents, and teachers,” said Rosikiewicz.
Principal Melissa Lauri praised the project for its educational and emotional impact. “This is the first time, to my knowledge, that Toll Gate has participated in an artist-in-residence program,” she said. “Not only did this project allow students to learn about quilting directly from Janneke, it also opened the opportunity for parents to volunteer and support in the classroom. I am so excited to see the finished product, which truly was a labor of love.”
For Van Der Ree, the project also rekindled her own mission to “pass on quilting to the next generation.” A seasoned quilt artist and teacher, she has worked with other schools and organizations including PALS (Pennington Adult Living Services) and is slated to teach at quilt shows later this year.
“I think on Pennington Day, kids are going to be pointing out the part they made,” she said. “They were proud of their work, and I tried to include as much of it as I could.”
As a final surprise, Van Der Ree also created a second quilt from leftover fabrics and practice blocks, which she plans to donate to the school nurse’s office as a comfort quilt.
Beyond artistic skill, Rosikiewicz said the quilt reinforced core lessons in perseverance, cooperation, and creativity—hallmarks of Toll Gate’s Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum.
“We hope everyone will stop by and see this special piece,” she said. “It’s not just a quilt. It’s a story of our students, our school, and our community stitched together.”
photos provided by Toll Gate Grammar School and Janneke Van Der Ree
Pennington Day is this Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
