legacy of quilts
A new exhibit at the Spencer Museum of Art highlights the African-American quilt-making tradition as no different in influence and craft than that of European-Americans.
Caroyn Mazloiil's "The Family Quilt" is featured at Spencer Museum of Art's "Always There: The African-American Presence in American Quilts." The exhibit will run through Dec. 19.
By Sara Bennett
Kansan staff writer
A new exhibition at the Spencer Art Museum proves that a myth.
Historians thought for a long time that African-American quilts were special or different from quilts made by European-Americans.
"Always There: The African-American Presence in American Quilts," on display Nov. 7 through Dec. 19, shows that the African-American quilt-making tradition is no different in influence and craft than that of European-American quilt making.
"For too many years too many people have looked at African-American quilts as being different, special or idiosyncratic," said Pat Villeneuve, curator for education at the museum. "African-American quilt making is as diverse as traditional European-American quilt making."
"Always There: The African-American Presence in American Quilts," was inspired by research done by Cuesta Benberry, a quilt scholar from St. Louis. Benberry researched African-American quilters both slave and free, male and female,
from all economic classes, geographic areas and levels of artistic training.
The result is a collection of quilts dating from 1844 to 1990 that vary in craftsmanship, purpose and theme. One quilt is a tribute to Frederick Douglass. "The Four Churches Commemorative Signature Quilt Top" is a memorial to the pastors and members of four churches in Emporia. Some quilts are traditional with intricate designs and bright colors. Others are purely functional. Photos, African textiles and other paraphernalia document the histories and influences for the quilts.
"Always There: The African-American Presence in American Quilts," demonstrates that there is no single aesthetic orientation among Black quilt makers. In the past, predominately white curators focused on quilts with obvious African-American themes and ignored more traditional quilts made by African-Americans.
"This acknowledged the lengthy and ongoing involvement of Black artists in American quilt making is overdue," said museum curator Nancy Corwin in a press release. "Cuesta Benberry's work and the 'Always There' exhibition offer a splendid
introduction to these long-ignored African-American quilters."
Several events are planned in conjunction with the exhibition. African-American women from the community will be available to give tours during the exhibition, and Corolyn Mazalooi, whose quilt "Solid Like a Rock" appears in the exhibition, will give a lecture Sunday, Nov. 14.
Quilt events
All events will be held at the Spencer Museum of Art
Teacher inservice, participants will become familiar with social, cultural and aesthetic issues relating to the exhibition.
B:30 a.m.-noon. Nov. 13, $5
Lecture, "Spirit of the Cloth"
2 p.m., Nov. 14, free
Tour, by NedRa Bonds, Kansas Arts Commissioner
12:15 12:45 p.m. Nov. 18, free
12:15 12:45 p.m. Nov. 18, informed
Hindu, 7 m., Nov. 18, 2013
Flim, "The Learning Tree"
2 p.m. Nov. 21, free
Source: The Spencer Museum of Art
KANSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NOVEMBER 10, 1993
PAGE 9
People and places at the University of Kansas.
calendar
EXHIBITIONS AND LECTURES
Exhibition—"Abstract Expressionist Works from the Spencer Museum Collection" will be on display through Jan. 9, 1994 in the Spencer Museum of Art, free
Exhibition—"Aspects of Modern Life: 19th century French Prints and Drawings" will be on display through Jan. 9, 1994 in the Spencer Museum of Art, free
Exhibition—"A Survey of the History of Photography from the Collection" will be on display through Jan. 9, 1994, in the Spencer Museum of Art, free
Exhibition—"Always There: The African-American Presence in American Quilts" will be on display through Dec. 19 in the Kress Gallery of the Spencer Museum of Art, free
Design Department Faculty will have its works on display through Thursday in the gallery of the Art and Design building,free
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