The Quilt Index

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Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

The Black Diaspora Quilt History Project (BDQHP), funded by a National Endowment for the Humanities grant, is an intentional effort towards preserving and making accessible, in the Quilt Index, primary and secondary sources on African American, African, and African Diasporic quilt history drawn from geographically-dispersed public and private collections. The BDQHP is a two-year project running from 2022 through 2024. The scope of the project will entail Quilt Index staff working with a diverse group of stakeholders to create digital humanities resources on African American, African, and African Diaspora quilt history. Resources emerging from this project will make known and honor the cultural legacy of Black quilters throughout the diaspora.

Museum Collections in the BDQHP
Old State House Museum, Little Rock, AR

Craft in America is a TV series produced by PBS that features artists and their crafts, including quilts.
The following episodes are of particular interest to the BDQHP:
Gee's Bend Quilters & Joe Cunningham,
Mississippi Cultural Crossroads quilters,
Hystercine Rankin on what quilting means to her
Quilt artist Faith Ringgold,
Quilter Michael A. Cummings.

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Documentation Project; Guild
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Michigan Quilt Project

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Michigan Quilt Project

Livonia; Michigan; United States

Great Lakes African American Quilters' Network is a regional African American network dedicated to serving the community through quilting and quilt education.

docprojects

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Documentation Project
Women of Color Quilters Network
Michigan State University

Women of Color Quilters Network

Michigan State University

United States

The Women of Color Quilters Network is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 by Carolyn L. Mazloomi, a nationally-acclaimed quilt artist and lecturer, to foster and preserve the art of quiltmaking among women of color.

docprojects

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Museum
Old State House Museum

Old State House Museum

Little Rock; Arkansas; United States

The Old State House Museum is the original state capitol building of Arkansas and the oldest standing state capitol building west of the Mississippi River. Since 1833, when construction began, the building and its grounds have witnessed many of the most important events in Arkansas history. Today, the museum’s exhibits and events are open to the public.

museums

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Quiltmaker
Ali, Linda
Women of Color Quilters Network

Ali, Linda

Women of Color Quilters Network

Novi; Michigan; United States

artists

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Designer; Quiltmaker
Aqui-Brooks, Gwendolyn
Women of Color Quilters Network

Aqui-Brooks, Gwendolyn

Women of Color Quilters Network

Washington D.C.; United States

Gwendolyn Aqui-Brooks is a Washington, DC based artist who specializes in mixed-media work.

artists

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50-146-3
Quiltmaker
Atkins, Mary
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Atkins, Mary

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Kalamazoo; Michigan; United States

Mary Atkins is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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Owner
Bains, Ernestine
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Bains, Ernestine

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Farmington Hills; Michigan; United States

artists

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Quiltmaker
Benson, Mozell Stephens
South Carolina Quilt History Project

Benson, Mozell Stephens

South Carolina Quilt History Project

artists

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Quiltmaker
Bryan, Mamie Lee
Blue Ridge Parkway Folklife Project Collection

Bryan, Mamie Lee

Blue Ridge Parkway Folklife Project Collection

United States

artists

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Quiltmaker
Crawford, Viney
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Crawford, Viney

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Idlewild; Michigan; United States

Viney Crawford is featured in the exhibit, African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-44
Quiltmaker
Dorris, Zelma
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Dorris, Zelma

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Detroit; Michigan; United States

Zelma Dorris is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-45
Quiltmaker
Dunlap, Bertha Tillman Ambrose
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Dunlap, Bertha Tillman Ambrose

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Monticello; Arkansas; United States

artists

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Quiltmaker; Owner
Felder, Patricia Ann
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Felder, Patricia Ann

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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Quiltmaker
Fleming, Theadra
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Fleming, Theadra

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Ypsilanti; Michigan; United States

Theadra Fleming's work was featured in the book, Quilts and Health, by Marsha MacDowell, Clare Luz, and Beth Donaldson.

artists

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Quiltmaker
Furman, Liv
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Furman, Liv

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

artists

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Quiltmaker
Furman, Mary Frances
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Furman, Mary Frances

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Louisville; Kentucky; United States

artists

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Owner; Quiltmaker
Graham, Deena
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Graham, Deena

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Oak Park; Michigan; United States

artists

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Quiltmaker
Green, Deonna
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Green, Deonna

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Remus; Michigan; United States

Deonna Todd Green (right with her mother Ione Todd) is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-46
Quiltmaker; Owner
Green, Shirley
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Green, Shirley

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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Quiltmaker
Harris, Carole
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Harris, Carole

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Detroit; Michigan; United States

Carole Harris' art quilts have appeared in books and exhibits.

artists

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12-51-81
Quiltmaker; Owner
Harris, Cassandra R. Johnson
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Harris, Cassandra R. Johnson

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Southfield; Michigan; United States

artists

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Quiltmaker; Owner
Hill, Mary Hendricks
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Hill, Mary Hendricks

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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Quiltmaker
Hollis, Elaine Yancy
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Hollis, Elaine Yancy

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Detroit; Michigan; United States

Elaine Yancy Hollis is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-48
Quiltmaker
Huggins, Maggie
South Carolina Quilt History Project

Huggins, Maggie

South Carolina Quilt History Project

artists

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Quiltmaker; Owner
Jackson, Frances
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Jackson, Frances

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Lathrup Village; Michigan; United States

artists

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Quiltmaker
James Lauren Beauty
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

James Lauren Beauty

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

United States

artists

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62-185-34
Quiltmaker
Jones, Hattie Williams
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Jones, Hattie Williams

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Fouke; Arkansas; United States

artists

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62-185-33
Quiltmaker
Jones, Lethonee
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Jones, Lethonee

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Kalamazoo; Michigan; United States

Lethonee Jones is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-49
Quiltmaker
Kimber, Ph.D., Chawne
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Kimber, Ph.D., Chawne

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

United States

Chawne Monique Kimber is an African-American mathematician and quilter, known for expressing her political activism in her quilts.

artists

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Quiltmaker; Owner
Lemmons, Karen
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Lemmons, Karen

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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Author; Designer; Owner; Quiltmaker
Mazloomi, Ph.D., Carolyn
Women of Color Quilters Network

Mazloomi, Ph.D., Carolyn

Women of Color Quilters Network

West Chester; Ohio; United States

Historian, Curator, Author, Lecturer, Artist, Mentor, Founder, and Facilitator — the remarkable and tireless Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi has left her mark on many lives. Trained as an aerospace engineer, Carolyn Mazloomi turned her sites and tireless efforts in the 1980s to bring the many unrecognized contributions of African American quilt artists to the attention of the American people as well as the international art communities.

artists

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Quiltmaker; Owner
Millender, Patricia
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Millender, Patricia

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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62-185-23
Quiltmaker
N'Diaye, Ph.D., Diana Baird
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

N'Diaye, Ph.D., Diana Baird

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Washington, D.C.; United States

Senior Curator and Cultural Heritage Specialist, Smithsonian; Visual Artist/ maker. Leads African American Craft Initiative, The Will to Adorn: African American Style and Identity, and Crafts of African Fashion.

artists

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62-185-4
Quiltmaker
Nesbitt, Louise Horry
South Carolina Quilt History Project

Nesbitt, Louise Horry

South Carolina Quilt History Project

artists

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53-156-64
Quiltmaker
Perkins, Myla
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Perkins, Myla

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Detroit; Michigan; United States

Myla Perkins (and The Quilting Six; left to right top, Myla Perkins, Alva Gamble, Charlsetta Buie, Clara Clark; bottom, Gwendolyn Spears, Elizabeth Jaggers) is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-51
Quiltmaker
Phillips, Sina
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Phillips, Sina

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Muskegon; Michigan; United States

Sina Phillips is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-52
Quiltmaker; Owner
Phillips-Horne, Shirley
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Phillips-Horne, Shirley

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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62-185-20
Quiltmaker; Owner
Ray, Sharon Olivia Taylor Fisher
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Ray, Sharon Olivia Taylor Fisher

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Ann Arbor; Michigan; United States

artists

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Quiltmaker; Owner
Robertson, Gwendolyn
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Robertson, Gwendolyn

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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62-185-15
Quiltmaker
Robinson, Essie Lee
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Robinson, Essie Lee

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Detroit; Michigan; United States

Essie Lee Robinson is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-54
Quiltmaker
Scott, Gloria
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Scott, Gloria

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Kansas City; Missouri; United States

Gloria Scott, a Black Arkansan, quiltmaker was originally from Hot Springs but moved to the Greater Kansas City, Missouri area.

artists

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62-185-10
Quiltmaker
Shaw, Carole Lyles
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Shaw, Carole Lyles

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

United States

artists

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62-185-35
Quiltmaker
Shipp, April Anue
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Women of Color Quilters Network

Shipp, April Anue

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Women of Color Quilters Network

Rochester Hills; Michigan; United States

April Anue Shipp is an interdisciplinary artist known for her mesmerizing and thought-provoking works that explore the intersection of art, history, current events and human emotions. With a unique blend of traditional techniques and innovative approaches, April creates works that challenge the boundaries of perception.

artists

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62-185-6
Quiltmaker
Stevens, Elka
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Stevens, Elka

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Washington, D.C.; United States

artists

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62-185-36
Quiltmaker; Owner
Thomas, Linda
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Thomas, Linda

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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62-185-26
Quiltmaker
Thomas, Toya R.B.
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Thomas, Toya R.B.

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Novi; Michigan; indigenous land of the Peoria tribe; United States

artists

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51-150-43
Quiltmaker
Todd, Ione
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Todd, Ione

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Remus; Michigan; United States

Ione Todd is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-47
Quiltmaker; Owner
Vest, Hilda
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Vest, Hilda

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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62-185-22
Quiltmaker
White, Beverly Ann
Michigan African American Quilt Project

White, Beverly Ann

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Pontiac; Michigan; United States

artists

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12-51-56
Quiltmaker; Owner
White, Frances
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

White, Frances

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Michigan; United States

artists

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62-185-25
Owner; Quiltmaker
Whitfield, Chiquita Sheryl
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Whitfield, Chiquita Sheryl

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Detroit; Michigan; United States

artists

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62-185-27
Quiltmaker; Owner
Whittington, Kaye Frances
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Whittington, Kaye Frances

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Novi; Michigan; United States

artists

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62-185-16
Quiltmaker
Wilkins, Rosie Lee
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Wilkins, Rosie Lee

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Muskegon; Michigan; United States

Rosie Lee Wilkins is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-55
Quiltmaker
Williams, Lula
Michigan African American Quilt Project

Williams, Lula

Michigan African American Quilt Project

Detroit; Michigan; United States

Lula Williams is featured in the exhibit: Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan.

artists

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12-51-50
Quiltmaker
Williams, Herma Wilson
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Williams, Herma Wilson

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Magnolia; Arkansas; United States

artists

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62-185-7
Quiltmaker
Williams, Mary Allen Smith
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Williams, Mary Allen Smith

Black Diaspora Quilt History Project

Fouke; Arkansas; United States

artists

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62-185-32
Quiltmaker; Owner
Wilson-Saulsberry, T. Deloris
Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Wilson-Saulsberry, T. Deloris

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

Southfield; Michigan; United States

artists

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Essay
Undergraduate Learning Engagements wit...

Furman, Liv

Undergraduate Learning Engagements with the Quilt Index BDQHP | AAAS 100 & TE 430

Furman, Liv

June; 12; 2023

Three instructors at Michigan State University co-planned and facilitated engagements with the Quilt Index for their undergraduate classes. Descriptions of their courses and learning engagements with Quilt Index resources and staff are listed below.

Essay

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essays
Ephemera
Black Quilts - Curriculum Guide Inspir...

Furman, Liv, Ph.D.

Black Quilts - Curriculum Guide Inspired by Black Quilters, Their Quilts, History & Praxis

Furman, Liv, Ph.D.

June; 15; 2023

The Quilt Index Black Diaspora Quilt HistoryProject (BDQHP) is a National Endowment forthe Humanities funded initiative. The BDQHP isan intentional effort towards preserving andmaking accessible, in the Quilt Index, primaryand secondary sources on African American,African, and African Diasporic quilt historydrawn from geographically-dispersed public andprivate collections. The BDQHP is a two-yearproject running from 2022 through 2024. Thescope of the project will entail Quilt Indexstaff working with a diverse group ofstakeholders to create digital humanitiesresources on African American, African, andAfrican Diaspora quilt history. Resourcesemerging from this project will make known andhonor the cultural legacy of Black quiltersthroughout the diaspora.

Ephemera

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62-186-61

publications
Gallery
Themes for Educators: African American...

Sikarskie, Amanda Grace

Themes for Educators: African American History and Culture

Sikarskie, Amanda Grace

2011

The Quilt Index houses a wealth of knowledge that is useful in all learning settings. African American History and Culture is just one of the topics that quilts can help bring to life.

Gallery

12-91-559

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12-91-559

galleries
Collection
Cuesta Benberry Quilt and Ephemera Col...

Worrall, Mary

Cuesta Benberry Quilt and Ephemera Collection

Worrall, Mary

2008

Cuesta Benberry was one of the twentieth-century's pioneers of research on American quiltmaking and she was the pioneer of research on African American quiltmaking. This collection is housed in the Michigan State University Museum.

Collection

12-91-465

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12-91-465

specialcolls
Story
Quilt Treasures Presents: Cuesta Benbe...

Justine Richardson

Quilt Treasures Presents: Cuesta Benberry

Justine Richardson

July; 2; 2002

Cuesta Benberry was interviewed in her St. Louis, Missouri home by Justine Richardson and Merikay Waldvogel on July 2, 2002.

Story

1-112-24

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1-112-24

stories
Lesson Plan
Exploring the Life & Legacy of Cue...

Furman, Ph. D., Liv

Exploring the Life & Legacy of Cuesta Benberry: Artifacts from the Archive

Furman, Ph. D., Liv

March; 16; 2023

Materials and Lesson by Liv Furman, Assistant Project Director; Quilt Index, Black Diaspora Quilt History Project (BDQHP)

Lesson Plan

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lessons
Ephemera
Finding Aid: Cuesta Benberry Ephemera ...

Worrall, Mary

Finding Aid: Cuesta Benberry Ephemera Collection

Worrall, Mary

2008

Cuesta Benberry was one of the twentieth-century's pioneers of research on American quiltmaking and she was the pioneer of research on African American quiltmaking.

Ephemera

12-91-466

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12-91-466

publications
Gallery
Cuesta Benberry Gallery

Furman, Liv, Ph. D.

Cuesta Benberry Gallery

Furman, Liv, Ph. D.

2023

A small sampling of artifacts from Cuesta Benberry’s archive.

Gallery

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62-186-1

galleries
Collection
Siddi Quilts and Quilters

Drewal, Henry John

Siddi Quilts and Quilters

Drewal, Henry John

June; 8; 2017

A presentation of materials on Siddi quilts and quiltmakers who are African descendants living in Northern Karnataka, India.

Collection

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62-186-58

specialcolls
Story
Rita Mae

Simmons, Margaret Lau

Rita Mae

Simmons, Margaret Lau

May; 2012

A description my visit to Gee's Bend and the purchase of a quilt made by Rita Mae Pettway.

Story

51-149-83

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51-149-83

stories
Ephemera
Gee's Bend Quilts brochure

Gee's Bend Quilters Collective

Gee's Bend Quilts brochure

Gee's Bend Quilters Collective

May; 2006

A brochure describing Gee's Bend quilts and how to buy them.

Ephemera

51-149-84

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51-149-84

publications
Exhibit
Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Li...

Mazloomi, Carolyn; MacDowell, Marsha

Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela

Mazloomi, Carolyn; MacDowell, Marsha

2014

Quilts made to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela.

Exhibit

50-147-1

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50-147-1

exhibits
Exhibit
Patterns of Inquiry

Michigan State University Museum

Patterns of Inquiry

Michigan State University Museum

July; 3; 2012

Research and educational activities involving Michigan State University Museum’s long-standing interest in and commitment to quilt studies are presented.

Exhibit

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12-91-439

exhibits
Exhibit
Quilting Sisters: African-American Qui...

MacDowell, Marsha

Quilting Sisters: African-American Quiltmaking in Michigan

MacDowell, Marsha

January; 13; 2000

Fifteen quilts from the Michigan State University Museum celebrating historical and contemporary African-American communities in Michigan.

Exhibit

12-91-462

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12-91-462

exhibits
Exhibit
Quilts and Human Rights

MacDowell, Marsha; Worrall, Mary; Swanson, Lynne

Quilts and Human Rights

MacDowell, Marsha; Worrall, Mary; Swanson, Lynne

2011

This exhibit depicts quilts that were used to express feelings on human rights.

Exhibit

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45-124-1

exhibits
Exhibit
Ubuntutu: Life Legacies of Love and Ac...

MacDowell, Marsha

Ubuntutu: Life Legacies of Love and Action

MacDowell, Marsha

2016

Quilt tributes to Desmond and Leah Tutu by South African and American artists

Exhibit

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50-147-2

exhibits
Collection
The Women of Color Quilters Network Co...

Marsha MacDowell

The Women of Color Quilters Network Collection at the Michigan State University Museum

Marsha MacDowell

October; 23; 2023

Collection

12-91-1022

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12-91-1022

specialcolls
Story
Regina Francis, Siddi Quilter

Henry Drewal

Regina Francis, Siddi Quilter

Henry Drewal

December; 8; 2023

Siddi Quilters are represented at the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 11-18, 2017

Story

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stories
Ephemera
Dutch Girl or Sunbonnet Sue

Dutch Girl or Sunbonnet Sue

December; 8; 2023

This is a paper pattern made by quilter Herma Wilson Williams of Magnolia Arkansas. The pattern name is Dutch Girl or Sunbonnet Sue. The pattern contains varying shapes and includes five separate pieces.

Ephemera

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miscellaneous
Ephemera
String Kite pattern

Herma Wilson Williams

String Kite pattern

Herma Wilson Williams

December; 8; 2023

A pattern and sample of Kite Quilt Blocks.

Ephemera

62-186-64

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62-186-64

miscellaneous
Exhibit
Afrofuturism & Quilts: Materializi...

Furman, Ph.D., Liv

Afrofuturism & Quilts: Materializing Black Futures & Black Womxn's Quilt Legacies

Furman, Ph.D., Liv

April; 19; 2024

In this exhibition quiltmakers and quilt scholars explore embodied and theoretical connections between Afrofuturism and quilt making.

Exhibit

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62-186-65

exhibits