Sistas Thrive Art Revolution - Akron, OH

Sistas Thrive Art Revolution: Works of Art by Black Women is on exhibit May 11 - June 16, 2007 at the Summit Art Space in Akron, Ohio.

The exhibit was curated by Ericka Abram. Artists include: Dayne Arnold, Sistah Quilter Debra Calhoun, Magalie Foster, Gladys Haines, Caressa Mathews, Christine Morrow, Shani Richards, photographer Robin Sallie and Charlene Thompson. Artworks include oil paintings, mixed media, metal work, photography and quilts. Enjoy!

CA Pasadena Museum of History - Cargo Collection

African American quilts from the Robert and Helen Cargo Collection will be on display at California's Pasadena Museum of History from May 12 - August 5, 2007. Thirty quilts dated from the 1930s - 1990s will be on display by Sistah (and Brother!) Quilters Dennis Jones, Mary Maxtion, Lureca Outland, Martha Jane Pettway, Sarah Mary Taylor, Yvonne Wells and Lucile Young. Museum activities will include:

Quilting Sistahs Trunk Show & Panel Discussion on Tuesday, May 22, 7:30 pm. See exciting contemporary quilts crafted by a local collective of 12 master African American quilters, the Quilting Sistahs. The artists will show their textile arts and talk about their inspirations and challenges. Tickets range from $15 - $20. RSVP 626-577-1660, ext. 10.

Quilting Workshop for Beginners with master teacher Althea Kennedy (4 sessions) Sunday, June 3, 2:00-4:00 pm. Hands-on beginner's class focusing on machine work and piecing. Fabric kits provided; rotary cutters and mats available for use. Participants must bring basic straight-stitch sewing machine and sewing basics (thread, scissors, pins, etc.). Supply list provided at time of registration. Workshop is $40 - $45. Mark your calendars and Enjoy!

African Parish House Quilters - 10th Year!

Congratulations to the African Parish House Quilters for 10 years of quilting! Join the guild as they meet this Saturday at the Martin Luther King Branch Library, 1600 E. Long Street Columbus, OH 43203 from 1pm - 4pm. Way to go co-founder Deborah Pinckney and all the members!

UPDATE - Thanks to Mrs. Pickney for sharing with us via email more about the African Parish House Quilters!

The APH Quilters was founded by Barbara Holt Payne and myself, Deborah E. Pinckney in order to continue and promote the art of quilting primarily among African American women, men and youth. This is to support our heritage and pass on a legacy to current and hopefully future generations. The group is an ecumenical outreach program of The Hebron Baptist Church of which my husband, W. Amanze M. Pinckney is the Founder and Pastor.

We give back to our community with two community service projects each year. One is to make baby quilts for at-risk newborns receiving services through our neighborhood settlement house and quilts for the homeless in our community. To date we have made and donated over 500 quilts, and we received An Outstanding Project Award from First Lady Hope Taft, Chair of the Ohio Make A Difference Day initiative for our 2004 "Community Quilting Day" Project, which is making quilts for the homeless in our community.

We enjoy our fellowship with one another and learning new techniques from one another during our monthly meetings. We also support Central Ohio quilting events, such as the Surface Symposium, the NQS show, Sacred Threads, Quilt Shop Hop and more, usually with our attendance or volunteering.

We are non-discriminatory, so anyone is welcome to join. Individuals interested can do so by coming to our meetings and paying annual dues of $15.00. Meetings are usually the third Saturday of the month from 1-4 p.m. at The African Parish House, 189 N. 20th St., Columbus, OH 43203, 614-258-4496. The house is so named because it once served as the parsonage or parish house for the pastors of a neighborhood A.M.E. Church.

Eugene W. R. Campbell, Jr - painter

Thanks to Jerise "Ri" Henson, creator of Riclectic, a blog about Interior Design & Décor for the African-American community, for introducing us to artist Eugene W. R. Campbell's watercolors, collages, and paintings! Campbell has an online store on eBay where you can purchases prints and originals - many are available to buy-it now (no auction). To the right is a print, Show & Tell, that I purchased to give as a gift. There's also a girl themed Show & Tell, too!

Dindga McCannon - Quilter, Author

Dindga McCannon is BAD. She was born and raised in Harlem. She studied at the Art Students' League and the City University of New York. Her first solo show occurred when she was just 17 years old! She's made jewelry, designed dresses (including her daughter's wedding dress!), taught printmaking, created wearable art coats, painted murals. She co-founded the Black Women's art collective, Where We At (1971 to 1997). Members of the collective included Faith Ringgold, Jerrilyn Crooks, and others. Dindga also illustrated Edgar Nkosi White's children's books, and even wrote and illustrated two books of her own!

Take a moment to get a used copy of PEACHES, Dindga's 1974 young adult novel. Within the 126 pages you'll meet a teenage black girl in Harlem who wants dearly to be an artist. The novel centers on one poignant summer when Peaches, about 14 years old, spends time with her best friend and her cousin getting into trouble, uses her needlearts skills to make abit of change, falls in "love" with Zoom, attends camp, and allows her imagination and sketch pencils to take her away. The novel is fast paced. I laughed aloud at times and was teary at the end (without giving away why). Family and neighbors plays a major part of the story. Heck, it was Grandma who named her Peaches. The novel was written more than 30 years ago, but holds up very well. Dindga's full page and double-page spread illustrations are sprinkled throughout the eight chapters. Highly recommended. I can't wait to start Dindga's other young adult novel about a budding black artist, Wilhemina Jones, Future Star (1980). Go, Dindga!

Rosie Chapman - Fabric Postcards

Have you yet made or received a fabric postcard? Check out today's Detroit News, reporter and sistah crafter Jocelynn Brown introduces us to Rosie Chapman and her collection and instructions for making fabric postcards! (Photo by Todd McInturf). Rosie Chapman is a versatile artist - she quilts and conducts historical reenactments, featuring such historical figures as Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Madame C. J. Walker, and Sojourner Truth. You can commission your OWN fabric postcard from Rosie, according to the Detroit News article, "Chapman custom makes post cards starting at $6 each. For more information, e-mail her at mizrosie@mac.com."

For other links on how to make fabric postcards, visit:

• How To Make A Fabric Postcard DebR Style
• Fast, Fun & Easy Fabric Postcards You Can Make (book)

Brown Sugar Stitchers - Bi-Annual Show

The Brown Sugar Stitchers bi-annual quilt show is today, May 5, 2007, in Decatur, GA at the Wesley Chapel Library from 10am - 5pm. Sistah quilters will display over 100 quilts, such as this story quilt from the 2005 show. If you can't visit the show, visit the website at www.quiltsites.com/brownsugarstitchers.htm. Have a good time!

Willa Fuller, 2007 Wellness Bra

Willa Fuller's entry into the Way to Wellness Foundation annual ArtBra exhibition is at left. Sistah Quilter Fuller's says her piece is a "... a tribute to Black Women who die due to lack of education and limited or no access to health care."

Click on the years to see other creative Art Bra pieces designed to increase education about women's health issues and breast cancer awareness, prevention in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

To see more of Willa Fuller's exciting quilting designs, visit her blog In the Willawags. Enjoy!

Queen Elizabeth Visits VA

Queen Elizabeth II is visiting Virginia - alas, I've not been invited to tea! Her Majesty is here to commemorate the 400 year anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. In public comments, the Queen acknowledges African contributions to the founding of the US when she said:

"And those early years in Jamestown, when three great civilizations came together for the first time, Western European, Native American and African, released a train of events which continues to have a profound social impact, not only in the United States but also in the United Kingdom and Europe."

Did you know that in 2001 Nigerian born, UK artist Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy (self-portrait at left) was commissioned to paint the Queen's portrait (right)? Visit Chinwe's website to purchase prints or read her 52-page biography as a children's book. Enjoy!

Enjoying your Black Threads Blog ...

Hello! The Black Threads Blog has been live for over 6 months - bringing news about African American quilting in the US, the UK, and Canada. I hope you are enjoying the posts!

Did you know you can have new posts automatically emailed to you? There's an email sign up in the right column. It's free.

You can also search for quilting news in two ways: 1) Look at the top of this page. There's a search box. Just type in a word, phrase, or quilter name. If I've had a post about it, the search results will show it! You can also 2) click on "Labels" under the posts. The results will be all the current and past posts on that topic. Believe it or not, I have close to 40 labels now.

Feel free to leave comments on the blog! It helps to know there's folks visiting the blog. Share your thoughts... or let me know if there's topics you'd like explored or news you want to share, like your guild shows, your latest quilt or fabric find. Enjoy! Kyra

Uncle Tom's Cabin ... and Quilts

The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center and the "Uncle Tom's Cabin & American Culture" project at the University of Virginia will host a two-day conference June 1-2, 2007, at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, CT.

There will be 12 experts presenting including: Patricia Hill (Wesleyan University), "Uncle Tom's Cabin as a Religious Text," Richard Yarborough (University of California, Los Angeles), "African American Responses to Uncle Tom's Cabin," Violet Harris (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), "Uncle Tom's Cabin as a Children's Book," and our own Dr. Patricia Turner (University of California, Davis) speaking about "The Rise and Fall of Eliza Harris: From Novel to Tom Shows to Quilts." Enjoy the conference .... and the book!

Intimate Apparel, the Seamstress Play

Visiting the Richmond, Va area by May 20? Buy a ticket to see Intimate Apparel, a play by Lynn Nottage, at the Barksdale Theatre at Willow Lawn. Intimate Apparel is the story about Esther, a 35-year-old illiterate seamstress, who stitches ladies undergarments for a living. Esther, who with the help of friends, writes letters to George, a man she ends up marrying. George, alas, is no good...

Visit the theatre's blog about the play! Click here to read about the play and see wonderful photos of the lead actors, such as Adanma Onyedike (Esther), Chris Lindsay (George), Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Jennifer Massey, and Andy Nagraj (owner of the shop where Esther sews). If you can't get to Richmond, you can read the play, too. The play won the American Theatre Critics New Play Award and was short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize in 2004. Have you seen the play in one of its productions? How was it?

Muhjah Shakir, Bioethics Quilt Project

Last month the Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care held a conference around the 35th anniversary of the "Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male" and the 10th anniversary of President Clinton's apology for the study. You many recall that the Tuskegee Study, according the the CDC, involved:

"... 600 black men--399 with syphilis and 201 who did not have the disease. Researchers told the men they were being treated for "bad blood," a local term used to describe several ailments, including syphilis, anemia, and fatigue. In truth, they did not receive the proper treatment needed to cure their illness"

One of the speakers at the conference was Muhjah Shakir (photo from Creighton University). Her topic was "Tools for Transformation: The Bioethics Community Quilt Project." The quilt illustrated the history of the Tuskegee syphilis study. Congratulations to Sistah Shakir, who will graduate with a Ph.d in 2007. Her dissertation is titled "Women's Narrative Towards Transforming the Legacy: The Syphillis Study and the Bioethics Community Quilt Project."

I'd love to read this dissertation and see the quilt - what a great addition to African American quilt history!

Marion Coleman - New Website!

Check out San Fran sistah quilter, Marion Coleman's new website at www.MarionColeman.com. She has completed an artist residency at the de Young Museum. She teaches art quilting, and created the quilt on the right. Marion is a former president of the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland. Her website features four different quilt galleries: Narrative, Portraits, Out of Africa, and Public Art. Congratulations, Marion!

One Room KY School - Quilt Show

If you happen to be near Fredonia, KY, visit the grand opening of the Wilson-Blair One Room School and see the special Antique and African-American Quilt Show beginning Monday, April 23, and running through Sunday, April 29, 2007. The school educated students in grades 1 - 8 from from 1926 until 1948. The school is named in memory of two former school caretakers, Jesse Blair and James “Sug” Wilson. (Photo is of Angelia Blair and her grandmother, Virginia Blair, wife of caretaker Jesse Blair.)

The History Channel gave a grant to restore the school through its Save Our History program, which is still open for 2007 grant applications! The school received a $10,000 grant and involved local students in the restoration process.

For more information about the Wilson-Black One Room School and quilt show, contact Fredonia Heritage Committee member Linda Bennett at (270) 963-1255 or Tammie Sanders at (270) 963-0409. (Source: The Times-Leader)

Crocheting - Easy Granny Square Swimsuit

Most sistah quilters I know are involved in multiple crafts .... doll making, knitting, or crocheting. Remember making granny squares? There's an interesting blog, Granny-Along, devoted to the squares. Following various links, I came across this granny square swimsuit. I love it! You can download the instructions, I don't know the language, one blogger says its Turkish. I probably wouldn't make the suit (ok, wouldn't WEAR it), but maybe modified as a summer tank top? What do you think?

Cadillac Chronicles - Bill Gaskins photos

........... ......Let me introduce you to art professor and photographer Bill Gaskins - who has steadfastly supported my adventures in researching Black Threads and Martha Ann Ricks' life story. Only my parents and Cuesta Benberry were greater cheerleaders. You may be familar with his book, Good And Bad Hair: Photographs by Bill Gaskins.

Well, Bill's latest project, The Cadillac Chronicles, explores portrait photography through the subject of Black men and Cadillac cars. Bill was recently quoted:

“The objective of my project is to challenge, humanize, disrupt and at times, affirm many of the stereotypes commonly associated with black men and the Cadillac, and to explore some 21st century questions I have about photography and the portrait. A centerpiece of this project is for me to engage the city in a conversation about my work, my life as an artist, and to share the lessons I learn through The Cadillac Chronicles with the people of Newark.”

Raise your hand... how many of us know an African American man who LOVES his Caddie?

If you're in the Newark, NJ area, hear Bill talk about the Cadillac Chronicles and share portraits of Newark’s Brick City GM Crew and the Nostalgic Automobile Society of Montclair members on Thursday, April 26, 2007 at Rutgers University at 4pm. RSVP here. Congrats, Bill!

Young Readers at Risk - Kid's Lit & Quilts

While we're on the topic of kid's literature and quilts.... I was recently on Barbara Brackman's updated website and saw this Hot Topics link to Indiana librarian Deborah Foley's 7-page essay, "Young Readers at Risk: Quilt Patterns and the Underground Railroad."

Juicy bit of discussion in February on quilts and children's books on Read Rodger's blog.

Horn Book Magazine - Quilt cover

I was on Roger Sutton's blog this morning. He's the editor-in-chief of Horn Book Magazine, a publication about children and young adult books. I'd love it if one day the publication would review Martha Ann's Quilt for Queen Victoria (smile). In the meantime, I am delighted to see Jaqueline Woodson's Show Way featured on the cover of the March/April issue. I'm looking forward to adding this issue to my collection of African American quilting ephemeral items .

It's not often that African American quilts or quilters are featured on the cover of quilt or other topical magazines. Do you have any note worthy magazine covers to share?

Roland Freeman at 10th Anniversary celebration

Congratulations on the 10th Anniversary of Sisters in Stitches Joined by the Cloth! Join them for their 10thAnniversary Quilt Show, "A Decade of Designs, Celebrating Our Culture," April 27 and 28, 2007 10 a.m. to 6 p.m at the St. John's Episcopal Church, 322 S. Franklin Street, Holbrook, MA.

This exhibit features African American quilters from the Boston Metropolitan area displaying 75 quilts. Admissions is $5.

GUEST SPEAKER: ROLAND FREEMAN (photo) - Saturday, April 28, 2 p.m. Roland Freeman is a photographer and author of Something to Keep YouWarm: The Roland Freeman Collection of Black AmericanQuilts from the Mississippi Heartland, and A Communionof the Spirits: African-American Quilters, Preservers,and Their Stories. Admissions to the lecture is $10.

For more info contact: Susi Ryan at http://us.f572.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=isusquilts%40yahoo.com.

Tell Mama Now: Jazz, Quilts, Fashion in NY

Women of Color Quilters Network, Inc., NY Chapter presents "Tell Mama Now: A Fusion of Jazz, Quilts and Fashion." Storytelling for children; African and Lindyhop dancing for adults; quilting; Jazz, Fashion and Hair Show. Special guest speaker is Dr. Carolyn L. Mazloomi.

The Opening Reception with Quilt Exhibition is on Thursday, April 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn Heights. The quilts are by the members of Women of Color Quilters Network, New York Chapter along with a few of my sister friends who include: Bisa Butler, Cindy Cephas, Sandy Benjamin Hannibal, Dr. Carolyn L. Mazloomi, Dindga McCannon, Sherry Shine, and Penny Sisto.

Program will run Friday, Apr. 13 and Saturday, Apr. 14, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Brooklyn Marriott, 333 Adams St., Downtown Brooklyn. For further information call 718 756-1922 or 718 756-7600.

Artist considers ... in case of death

I read several blogs - some for quilting, some for children's literature. One of my favorites is Don Tate II's blog - he's an illustrator of several kid's lit books as well as illustrator for fabrics (at right) and scrapbook pages. Don recently posted a note about an artist who passed away and Don wondered if he - an illustrator with many deals in progress - passed away if he was prepared.

As a quilter, have you .....

1. made a list of your quilts .... name, year, measurements, who owns, insurance value


2. made a list of where your quilts are on display so your family can get them back?


3. taken photographs of (all) your quilts


4. let your family know where your artist resume or bio is located


5. completed a will that includes any instructions for your quilts... and your FABRICS?

What other items should we as quilters consider?

New Book - Soulful Art of African American Quilts

Coming by Summer - Kansas City quilter, Sonie Ruffin, has written The Soulful Art of African American Quilts: Nineteen Bold, Improvisational Projects. This book includes 11 original quilt patterns and stories inspired by quilts from Scott Heffley's collection. The quilts include names such as Praise the Lord, Triangle Strip Doll Quilt, Black Eyed Susan, and Schoolhouse. The book also includes 7 of Sonie's own quilt designs including AIDS Quilt, Jumping the Broom, Stars over Africa, and Brown Silk Happiness and of Sonie's own Tote Bag. (Paperback, 128 pages ISBN: 978-1-933466-33-0)

The book is published by Kansas City Star Quilts and can be pre-ordered via www.PickleDish.com. You can also download a five page book sample here of the book. Congratulations Sonie!

New - Bold Improvisation: Searching for AA Quilts

Coming by summer - Bold Improvisation: Searching for African American Quilts - The Heffley Collection by quilt collector Scott Heffley. The book showcases more than 50 African American-made quilts. (hardback, 128 pages, ISBN: 978-1-933466-25-5)

Click here for a four-page book sample. The book is available from Kansas City Star Quilts via www.PickleDish.com.

San Fran Quilt Guild - Eli Leon

Eli Leon will speak Tuesday evening, April 17, 2007, to the San Francisco Quilt Guild.

Black Angel in Fabric

eQuilter.com is having a sale on this lovely 24" x 44" panel 'Classical Glass' fabric from Michael Miller featuring both a black and white angel. Happy Sewing!

Easter Eggs - any quited ones?

A recent Washington Post article highlighted several states' contribution to the White House Visitor Center's annual Easter Egg display. Click here to see your state's decorated egg.

Next year I'll have to make a decorated Easter egg with African fabric! I'd love to learn more about other African American artists who have decorated Easter eggs. Do send links!

Ellen Harmon - Delaware Quilter

Earlier this week the Cape Gazette newspaper profiled Delaware sistah quilter, Ellen Harmon. Her quilts are in the Delaware Folk Art collection. Go Ellen!

UK Stitches In Time Quilt

A quilt containing 60 blocks illustrating historical British figures and scenes about the 1807 Abolition Act to abolish slave trade on British ships was unveiled at London City Hall yesterday, April 5, 2007. The In Stitches project, sponsored by The African Families Foundation (TAFF) and a £50,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, brought together African, African-Caribbean, and British quilting women in England - from cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, London, and Manchester.

Nana Ama Amamoo, Director of The African Families Foundation is quoted in an article that “The creation of a quilt is a uniquely feminine way of recording events. The project enables us to remember the past and seek for reconciliation through working together in the present.”

The quilt will be displayed:

April 5 - 30: City Hall, London and Greenwich Maritime Museum

May 1 - 30: British Empire and Commonwealth Museum and Feminist Archive, Bristol

June 1 - 30: Central Library, Liverpool

July 1 - 30: Soho House, Birmingham

August 16 - 19: NEC, Birmingham for the international Quilt Festival

September 1 - 30: Central Library, Manchester

October 1 - 30: City Hall, London

Sewing Roots of our Heritage show

If you are in or around Florence, SC - do check out The Sewing Roots of Our Heritage: African American Quilters and Fiber Artists at the Florence Museum (March 13 - April 30, 2007).

This exhibit, sponsored by the Lynda English Studio Gallery, features the works of Shelia Bligen, Dr. Edward Bostick, Arianne King Comer, Catherine Lamkin, Winifred Sanders, Joann E. Thompson, and Cookie Washington. On April 21, Dr. Marlene O'Bryant Seabrook will be speaking at the museum. I'd love to see this exhibit - the postcard with the six quilt images are fantastic. Check out the exhibit!