Afrofuturism & Quilts Exhibit

The Afrofuturism & Quilts exhibition is hosted by the Michigan State University Quilt Index's Black Diaspora Quilt History Project. The exhibition is on display in the Union Gallery at Michigan State University (MSU) from April-June 2024. In this exhibition quiltmakers and quilt scholars explore embodied and theoretical connections between Afrofuturism and quilt making. Each piece in the exhibition explores aspects of included quiltmakers’ identities and experiences, as well as their beliefs, hopes, and imaginings of a liberated Afrofuture. The work of local and national quilt artists are showcased. Artists include: April Shipp, Dr. Elka Stevens, Janda Lipker & Rebecca Lipker, Carole Lyles Shaw, Dr. Diana Baird N’Diaye, Chiquita Whitfield, & Dr. Liv Furman. This exhibition is curated by Dr. Liv Furman, with special thanks to Dr. Julian Chambliss.

This exhibition builds from the Afrofuturism & Quilts virtual panel conversation, planned and moderated by Dr. Julian Chambliss and Dr. Liv Furman, on October 5th, 2023. This virtual panel event explored theoretical and experiential context regarding themes of Afrofuturism, quilt making, and the utility and legacies of Black art/craft. The panelists for this event included: Ytasha Womack, John Jennings, Dr. Elka Stevens, & Deimosa Webber-Bey.

Sponsors for the Afrofuturism & Quilts exhibition event include, but are not limited to, the MSU Museum, MSU Matrix: The Center For Digital Humanities & Social Sciences, the Quilt Index’s Black Diaspora Quilt History Project, African American & African Studies (AAAS) at MSU, and an Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant from the MSU Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. The Quilt Index's Black Diaspora Quilt History Project is a National Endowment for the Humanities funded initiative.

Dates:
April 9 - June 29, 2024

Featured Artist: April Shipp

Address:
MSU Union Gallery
49 Abbot Road, RM 230
East Lansing, MI 48824