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The Arts Group. Quilt-A-Heritage
May 21, 1983
Michigan State University Museum; Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Cuesta Benberry Quilt and Ephemera Collection
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
The cover, first and sixth pages of an exhibit catalog for Quilt-A-Heritage, May 21, 1983 at the Milwaukee Public Library.
The Arts Group
QUILT-A-HERITAGE
Exhibit, Central Library
Milwaukee Public Library
May 21, 1983
QUILT-A-HERITAGE EXHIBIT
This exhibit features small -sized quilts which have been designed and quilted by Black women in the Milwaukee metropolitan community to honor female ancestors or other persons who have influenced their lives. For most exhibitors, this is a first quilting endeavor. It was initiated to share in community and ancestral pride as well as to emphasize the historical contributions of Black women to the art of quilting and all allied needlecrafts, women whose lives have gone undocumented and unrecorded.
The members of the Arts Group seek to experience the performing and visual arts for learning, enrichment and enjoyment and in so doing, invite others to join in activities.
QUILTS - 24 in. square
1. INSPIRATIONAL GUIDANCE - Minnie P. Chambers. April, 1983
Methods: Embroidery, applique, trapunto, hills and valleys, stuffing and reverse tying.
Materials: Variety of threads that blend well with the cotton fabrics, ribbons; silk screen print for the piano.
"This quilt represents my mother who is depicted as the white star guiding me over the hills and valleys of my life. The bottom half represents my high school English teacher and choir director, who opened my mind to all the "grand things, the cultural things", of life. The black, red, and green border represents all of the Afro-American people who embraced and encouraged me. The red backing was used to show all the love I have always had."
2. A TRIBUTE TO AUNT RED (GERTRUDE EASTERLING) -- Irma Daniels, April, 1983
Methods: Applique and piece quilting.
Materials: Cotton blends, felt and artist pens.
"I was born on April 21, my aunt's birthday. She has been an inspiration to me and has touched the lives of many others. The four squares are only a sample of her life. She is pastor of Triumph Church, a retired MPS social worker aide, and has been a foster mother for years giving love to numerous children. Her farm in Red Granite has been a summer haven for all. Always willing to lend helping hands and share her many talents with others, she will bear her own cross with a smile and still have strength to help others bear theirs. I am proud that she is part of my heritage. A special thanks to my mother and Candace Conlan!"
3. SYMBOLS OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH -- Anna Ford, April, 1983
Method: Applique
Materials: Cotton, satin and polyester.
"Our church was used not only for religious services, but also served as a social center for the community."
4. GIFTS - MY TRIBUTE TO MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER -- Lucinda J. Gordon, April 1983
Methods: Applique and trapunto
Materials: Linen, cotton, rayon, Liquitex paint. Fabrics, except rayon, belonged to my mother. Blue was her favorite color.
"The gifts are the Christian faith of my mother and grandmother, symbolized in the Communion cup; their service to people; their love of and ability to grow plants and flowers; and my mother's sewing talent. The symbols are figures of man, woman and child; the quilting pattern, Grandmother's Flower Garden, and spools of thread. The family "tree" includes my great-grandmother, whom I knew, and my daughter. The center of the....pages missing.
BOOKLIST
These are some of the many materials on quilting available in the Milwaukee Public Library.
BOOKS
Chase, Judith Wragg. AFRO-AMERICAN ART & CRAFT. 1971. (R)709.73-C487
Pages 78-91 on plantation craftmen.
Driskell, David C. TWO CENTURIES OF BLACK AMERICAN ART. 1976 (R)709. 73-D781.
Contains background information on Black artists and craftsmen in the formative years, 1750-1920. Excellent bibliography of books, catalogs and periodicals.
McCalls Magazine. McCALL'S HOW TO QUILT IT! 1973 746-M125H
Good instructions for the beginner for the editors of McCall's Needlework & Crafts.
McKim, Ruby. 101 PATCHWORK PATTERNS. 1962 746-M15A
Quilt name stories, cutting designs, material suggestions, yardage estimates, and definite instructions for every step of quilt making are included.
Vlach, John Michael. THE AFRO-AMERICAN TRADITION IN DECORATIVE ARTS. 1978. 745.0973-V865
Quilting is covered on pages 44-75.
PERIODICALS
BLACK ART, Vol. 3 No. 4. The Harriet Powers Pictorial Quilts, p. 12-28.
OTHER RESOURCES (Not in library's collection):
Fibrearts, The Magazine of Textiles. May/June 1981
Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, 6700 West 44th Ave., Wheatridge, Colo. 80033
Simplicity's Quilts & Patches. Simplicity Pattern Co.
QUILT-A-HERITAGE
Exhibit, Central Library
Milwaukee Public Library
May 21, 1983
QUILT-A-HERITAGE EXHIBIT
This exhibit features small -sized quilts which have been designed and quilted by Black women in the Milwaukee metropolitan community to honor female ancestors or other persons who have influenced their lives. For most exhibitors, this is a first quilting endeavor. It was initiated to share in community and ancestral pride as well as to emphasize the historical contributions of Black women to the art of quilting and all allied needlecrafts, women whose lives have gone undocumented and unrecorded.
The members of the Arts Group seek to experience the performing and visual arts for learning, enrichment and enjoyment and in so doing, invite others to join in activities.
QUILTS - 24 in. square
1. INSPIRATIONAL GUIDANCE - Minnie P. Chambers. April, 1983
Methods: Embroidery, applique, trapunto, hills and valleys, stuffing and reverse tying.
Materials: Variety of threads that blend well with the cotton fabrics, ribbons; silk screen print for the piano.
"This quilt represents my mother who is depicted as the white star guiding me over the hills and valleys of my life. The bottom half represents my high school English teacher and choir director, who opened my mind to all the "grand things, the cultural things", of life. The black, red, and green border represents all of the Afro-American people who embraced and encouraged me. The red backing was used to show all the love I have always had."
2. A TRIBUTE TO AUNT RED (GERTRUDE EASTERLING) -- Irma Daniels, April, 1983
Methods: Applique and piece quilting.
Materials: Cotton blends, felt and artist pens.
"I was born on April 21, my aunt's birthday. She has been an inspiration to me and has touched the lives of many others. The four squares are only a sample of her life. She is pastor of Triumph Church, a retired MPS social worker aide, and has been a foster mother for years giving love to numerous children. Her farm in Red Granite has been a summer haven for all. Always willing to lend helping hands and share her many talents with others, she will bear her own cross with a smile and still have strength to help others bear theirs. I am proud that she is part of my heritage. A special thanks to my mother and Candace Conlan!"
3. SYMBOLS OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH -- Anna Ford, April, 1983
Method: Applique
Materials: Cotton, satin and polyester.
"Our church was used not only for religious services, but also served as a social center for the community."
4. GIFTS - MY TRIBUTE TO MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER -- Lucinda J. Gordon, April 1983
Methods: Applique and trapunto
Materials: Linen, cotton, rayon, Liquitex paint. Fabrics, except rayon, belonged to my mother. Blue was her favorite color.
"The gifts are the Christian faith of my mother and grandmother, symbolized in the Communion cup; their service to people; their love of and ability to grow plants and flowers; and my mother's sewing talent. The symbols are figures of man, woman and child; the quilting pattern, Grandmother's Flower Garden, and spools of thread. The family "tree" includes my great-grandmother, whom I knew, and my daughter. The center of the....pages missing.
BOOKLIST
These are some of the many materials on quilting available in the Milwaukee Public Library.
BOOKS
Chase, Judith Wragg. AFRO-AMERICAN ART & CRAFT. 1971. (R)709.73-C487
Pages 78-91 on plantation craftmen.
Driskell, David C. TWO CENTURIES OF BLACK AMERICAN ART. 1976 (R)709. 73-D781.
Contains background information on Black artists and craftsmen in the formative years, 1750-1920. Excellent bibliography of books, catalogs and periodicals.
McCalls Magazine. McCALL'S HOW TO QUILT IT! 1973 746-M125H
Good instructions for the beginner for the editors of McCall's Needlework & Crafts.
McKim, Ruby. 101 PATCHWORK PATTERNS. 1962 746-M15A
Quilt name stories, cutting designs, material suggestions, yardage estimates, and definite instructions for every step of quilt making are included.
Vlach, John Michael. THE AFRO-AMERICAN TRADITION IN DECORATIVE ARTS. 1978. 745.0973-V865
Quilting is covered on pages 44-75.
PERIODICALS
BLACK ART, Vol. 3 No. 4. The Harriet Powers Pictorial Quilts, p. 12-28.
OTHER RESOURCES (Not in library's collection):
Fibrearts, The Magazine of Textiles. May/June 1981
Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, 6700 West 44th Ave., Wheatridge, Colo. 80033
Simplicity's Quilts & Patches. Simplicity Pattern Co.
-
Museum
Michigan State University Museum Michigan Quilt Project
-
Documentation Project
Black Diaspora Quilt History Project -
Collection
Cuesta Benberry Quilt and Ephemera Col...
Worrall, Mary
-
Gallery
Themes for Educators: African American...
Sikarskie, Amanda Grace
-
Ephemera
Finding Aid: Cuesta Benberry Ephemera ...
Worrall, Mary
-
Gallery
Cuesta Benberry Gallery
Furman, Liv, Ph. D.
-
Story
Quilt Treasures Presents: Cuesta Benbe...
Justine Richardson
-
1979
Afro-American Wom... Benberry, Cuesta
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