Artistic Expressions of Quilters of Color - now available!

The Ebony Stitchers Quilt Guild has done it again! They have just published "Artistic Expressions of Quilters of Color"! This 48-page softcover book features quilts, profiles, and short text for the following 33 quilters:

Ms. Ceree Bowden, Renee Allen, Marquetta Bell Johnson, Linda Asbury, N. Yvonne Bernal, Nicole Blackwell, Myla Chapman, Jessica Coleman, Cleme Cosby, Anita Burns Crosby, Joyce Daniels, Edna Marie Gaddis Anderson, Mamie Ellis, Lindsey G. France, Nancy DeCreny Franklin, Gwen Gordon, Janice Hunter, Melanie Ligon, Aisha Lumumba, Ernestine Merritt, Wardean S. Miller, Tricia Montgomery, Carolyn Newton, Elaine Parker, Theresa Polley-Shellcroft, Belinda Pedroso, Tinnie and Minnie Pettway, J. C. Rice, Billie Jean Richardson, Paulette Strain, Carolyn W. White, Inez Wilkerson, and Irma Young.

The book also includes a pattern for a Bird of Paradise quilt. Margaret Warfield created the cover design. Michael Angelo Chester is credited for the book design and layout. The quilts from these quilters from Georgia to California are just marvelous! The book retails for $20 and is available from the Ebony Stitchers Quilt Guild website. Great holiday gift. Enjoy!

Artist Tai R's patchwork celebration of Arne Jacobsen's Egg Chair

Aren't these chairs adorable? They are from Danish artist Tai R. In 2008, he created 50 chairs to celebrate designer Arne Jacobsen's classic Egg Chair. Have fun - and click here to see the 50 Unique Egg Chair book! Enjoy!

African-American Quilts Today: A Celebration of Motherhood, Sisterhood & the Matriarchs

The New England Quilt Museum is presenting "African-American Quilts Today: A Celebration of Motherhood, Sisterhood & the Matriarchs," an exhibit curated by Dr. Pearlie Johnson. The exhibit features the works of NedRa Bonds, Sonie Ruffin, Sherry Whetstone, and Michele David and will be on exhibit from October 21, 2010 to January 3, 2011. Quilts are divided into four themes: Motherhood and Fertility, Women and Matriarchs, Inspiration and Empowerment, and Ancestral Legacy. (Quilt in photo by NedRa Bonds.)

Additionally, there will be two special events: a trunk show with Sisters in Fiber, a Boston area African American fiber art group, on Nov. 6th and a trunk show on Nov. 13 with Sisters in Stitches, a Boston area African American quilt guild. Enjoy!

Southern Stitches: African-American Quilts from the Collection of Larry Hackley

The exhibit "Southern Stitches: African-American Quilts from the Collection of Larry Hackley" opens October 21 at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. The show runs until February 26, 2011 and features 16 bold and colorful quilts made by six African-American quilters from Mississippi and Alabama. Hackley is a folk art collector. The opening Thursday, Oct. 21, 5-7 p.m. will also feature a reading by poet Honorée Jeffers at 7 p.m. One of her collections is titled "The Gospel of Barbecue." Enjoy!

Happy 80th Birthday Faith Ringgold!

Sending all best wishes to Faith Ringgold on her birthday today. The Neuberger Museum of Art is presenting a comprehensive survey of Ringgold paintings, on view September 11 to December 19, 2010. The exhibit includes the American People (1963 - 1967) and Black Light (1967 - 1971) series. There is an exhibit catalog. And, closing tomorrow at the ACA Art Galleries New York is the exhibit "Faith Ringgold: Coming to Jones Road, Part II & Other Story Quilts." Blessings!

Hands that Can Do: African-American Quilters of Northeast Georgia

On exhibit at the Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens, GA is an exhibit titled, Hands that Can Do: African-American Quilters of Northeast Georgia, from October 5, 2010 to January 20, 2011. The exhibit is part of the celebration honoring African American quilting legend, Harriet Powers. Admissions to the exhibit is free. Contact (706) 613-3623 for more information.

Harriet Powers Week at the Athens Regional Library is set for October 24 - 28, 2010. Activities include storytelling, crafts and music for young and old!

A symposium on Harriet Powers will be held in conjunction with the exhibit in the Community Room of the Lyndon House Arts Center, Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 9:30 – 3:30 p.m. The panelists, Winnie McQueen, Diane Barret, and me, will discuss topics that include the quilts of Harriet Powers, textile traditions of West Africa, and African American quilters in northeast Georgia. I will also sign my book, This I Accomplish: Harriet Powers' Bible Quilt and Other Pieces. Additionally, there will be an African market of textiles from West Africa. Enjoy!

Sabrina Fair - Ford's Theatre - Have you seen THIS Sabrina?

Have you seen the movie Sabrina? You know, the one staring Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart ... or even the updated version staring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond? This is a Cinderella story of a chauffeur's daughter who falls in love with one of two sons of the rich Larrabee family. Sabrina escapes to Paris, in part to get over her love... or does she?

Well, this month the Ford's Theatre is now showing the play Sabrina Fair by Samuel A. Taylor. The play starts with Sabrina returning home after five years in Paris. And, in this play, Sabrina and her Dad are African American! (Photo: Tom Story as David, Susan Heyward as Sabrina and Todd Gearhart as Linus photographed by Scott Suchman at Hillwood.).

If you are in the DC area, the Ford's Theatre is offering two free tickets to the Sunday, October 10th 7:30pm showing to Black Threads blog readers. To enter the raffle for the free tickets, leave a comment and here about either the films or play Sabrina. You'll have to also leave your email address so that if you are selected, I can get in contact with you. I will randomly select a winner on Wednesday. Enjoy!

Inspirations, Visions & Traditions: 2010 Quilt and Doll Show

If you are in the Cleveland area, be sure to see the exhibit, "Inspirations, Visions & Traditions: 2010 Quilt and Doll Show," by the African American Quilt & Doll Guild of Warrensville Heights, Ohio October 15 - 16, 2010. Friday's event includes a lecture by wearable arts designer Rachel Clark and a fashion show. There is an admission charge.

While at the exhibit, be sure to check out the quilts by guild member Julius Bremer (photo by Lisa DeJong, Plain Dealer), who was featured recently in the Plain Dealer newspaper. Enjoy!

Unpacking Collections: The Legacy of Cuesta Benberry, An African American Quilt Scholar Symposium

Michigan State University will host "Unpacking Collections: The Legacy of Cuesta Benberry, An African American Quilt Scholar Symposium" from Friday, October 8 to Sunday, October 10 on the East Lansing campus and the East Lansing Marriott. Click here for registration information. Here's a sample of the activities:

• Tour the exhibit featuring Cuesta Benberry's collection.
• See the new film "The Skin Quilt Project" along with a Q&A by filmmaker Lauren Cross
• Behind the scenes tour of the MSU quilt collection, including its African and African American quilts!
  

On Saturday, October 9 the symposium will include presentations and Q&A by:

• Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, "Building a Legacy: The Collection of the Women of Color Quilters Network 1985 - 2009"
• Dr. Patrica Turner, "Inspired to Document: Cuesta Benberry's Legacy in Quilt Scholarship"
• Merikay Waldvogel, "How a Lot of Paper Changed My Career Path: Using Historical Round Robin Quilt Collections in Modern Quilt Research"
• Kyra Hicks, "Five Collections Held Harriet Powers' Quilt Secrets"

The MSU Museum team responsible for the entire program are: Beth Donaldson, Dr. Marsha MacDowell, Lynne Swanson, Amanda Grace Sikarskie, Pearl Yee Wong, and Mary Worrall. Enjoy!