Virginia Quilt Museum Current Exhibits

After the class last week with Hollis, Sue made a stop at the Virginia Quilt Museum on the way home - especially to see a group of Hollis' quilts that are on exhibit.  The main exhibit is a group of African American quilts "Stitching Our Stories in New and Traditional Expressions".  The exhibit, curated by Wilma Gerald of Norfolk, ranges from quilts with a strong African influence, to traditional quilts, art quilts, and dramatic story quilts.

"Mother" is by Katherine Wilson of District Heights, MD.  Her piece represents mankind's connection to the African continent as the common root of human ancestry.

"Slave Chain Quilt" is by Sisters of the Yam African American Quilters of Richmond, VA.  This was a group project made by the members of the guild.

This improvisational quilt is by Anna Williams and was loaned for the exhibit by Paula Golden.  Anna (1927-2010) was from Baton Rouge, LA, and was perhaps the first African American quilter whose improv quilts were recognized as art.

In conjunction with this exhibit is "Stories of West Africa", a collection of 12 quilts by Hollis Chatelain based on her educational coloring book of the same name.  Hollis spent 12 years in Africa living in Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Benin.  These quilts are all based on photos she took, each one showing the strength of family and community.

"Beautiful Wanderer" depicts a Fulani girl carrying goods on her head.  These nomadic shepherds wander the area south of the Sahara Desert.

"Whistle Blower" depicts a child on her mother's back blowing a whistle.  Children often make their own toys because manufactured ones are unavailable.  Click on these quilts for a larger view and a better look at the quilting.

The picture on the front of the coloring book is also one of the quilts.  "Fabrics for Sale" depicts a woman selling her textiles in the market.  The African fabrics are sold in 2 yard pieces and women usually buy 3.  One is used to make a top, one is worn as a skirt, and the third is used to create a sling to carry a baby.

The third exhibit features Virginia Quilts in the Jenny and David Powers Collection.  These quilts are representative of quilts made in the Shenandoah Valley.

Made about 1840, this pieced center medallion quilt is made of thousands of half square triangles.

This Wreath and Compass quilt was made about 1850.  It has a folk art quality and soft circular motion.

"Fanny Jane's Delight" was made about 1880.  It is an unquilted top.  Fanny designed this complex pattern which contains many half square triangles that had to be cut with scissors.  The museum is in the process of publishing this pattern.

Take a day trip this spring to Harrisonburg and visit the museum.  This exhibit runs through May 12.