Ashleigh Bagwell

Artist Statement

Statement
Field of Stars Over Campostella grew out of the name of the
neighborhood itself. “Campostella” translates to “field of stars,”
and that image of sky and water together was the starting
point for this design.
The piece is built in the language of quilting. At the base, the
Elizabeth River is shown through stitched, swirling patterns
that echo both the movement of water and the tradition of
hand-sewn fabric. Rising above the river, the Campostella
Bridge is reimagined in bright patchwork blocks, suggesting
both its familiar arches and the idea of connection, linking one
side of the community to the other, and tying past to present.
Overhead, a crescent moon and star blocks shine against a
dark quilted sky, directly honoring the “stella” in the
neighborhood’s name.
I chose quilting as the framework because quilts tell stories.
They preserve history, mark family ties, and bring communities
together. In this design, the quilt textures create a sense of
intimacy up close, small stitched details and layered patterns,
while still carrying bold shapes and strong contrast that can be
read quickly by people passing in cars or on bikes. From far
away, you see moon, stars, bridge, river. Step closer, and the
quilted surface reveals itself.
The goal is to turn an ordinary utility box into a kind of fabric
mural — a reminder of Campostella’s story stitched into the
city, celebrating sky, water, and the community that lives
between them.