More than 100 of Barbara Hopperstad Donaho’s exquisite quilts will be showcased at a special retrospective exhibition on September 11 and 12, from 10 am to 4 pm, at the Wheat Ridge Center for Music and Arts, 7530 West 38th Avenue. A true gem in the community, Barb is a beloved quilting professional, teacher, and community leader—celebrated for her creativity, her mastery of fabrics and patterns, and her signature philosophy: “When life goes to pieces, try quilting.”
This show celebrates Barb’s extraordinary 60 year legacy and the remarkable body of work that has warmed homes, uplifted communities, and stitched together decades of Colorado history. For tickets and more information on the showcase, please visit https://tinyurl.com/5cfdfesx.
Barb’s Background
Born in Hardin, Montana, in 1941, Barb moved with her family to Lookout Mountain in Morrison, Colorado, as an infant. She began her education in a one room schoolhouse and graduated from Bear Creek High School in 1959. That same year, she married Gary Donaho—her husband of 64 years until his passing in 2023, and together they raised two children, Ed and Kim.
As the second youngest in a large Norwegian family, Barb learned sewing and crocheting from her mother. She quickly discovered that quilting was her true passion. With no instruction books, specialty fabrics, or modern tools (and certainly no YouTube tutorials), Barb taught herself the craft, developing the imaginative style and meticulous technique that would define her career.
Barb’s Draperies
Barb turned her passion for sewing, crocheting, and quilting into a thriving enterprise, operating Barb’s Draperies for 42 years. Her work became synonymous with quality, artistry, and precision, and her craftsmanship and eye for detail earned her a reputation for excellence throughout Colorado. She created custom work for notable institutions including the Stanley Hotel, the Colorado Historical Society, Howard Lorton Galleries, the Byers Evans Mansion, the Barth Hotel, and the Phipps Mansion.
Passion for Quilting
Barb’s quilts have been displayed across Colorado and beyond, appearing at the Colorado State Capitol, the Quilt Museum in Golden, and in Patchwork Quilts Magazine. One of her most celebrated works, “Butterflies and Flowers,” was selected by the Denver Art Museum to tour internationally in Japan—an extraordinary honor recognizing her artistic excellence.
Her contributions to the quilting community are equally impressive. Barb has served on the Colorado Quilt Council, taught quilting classes for decades, and shared the joy of handwork with new generations of quilt makers. She has supported numerous charitable causes, creating quilts for Quilts of Valor, Easter Seals, Lutheran World Relief, Dipes & Wipes, Poudre’s Quilts of the Underground Railroad exhibit, and other local and global outreach programs.
A Legacy of Generosity
At 85, Barb continues to give back. Her current priority is making baby quilts for Sharing with Sheridan, a food pantry outreach sponsored by St. Philip Lutheran Church. Her generosity has touched countless families, and her quilts continue to serve as symbols of comfort, care, and community. Barb’s life’s work—rooted in generosity, artistry, community, and love—continues to inspire quilters.
