On Wednesday, Feb 4, I spent a wonderful day with the staff of the Orlando County Regional History Center, being a “Media Star”. Smile….It was quite exciting to do a series of interviews for TV, radio and newspaper reporters. Here’s a shot of me on the TV set …and a couple of shots from inside the Museum.
I was there because I have a quilt in a wonderful quilt exhibit curated by Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, “And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations”. The quilt exhibit features over 60 powerful story quilts covering 400 years of African American history. The quilters used a wide range of techniques, so the exhibit is an absorbing and eye-opening experience for quilters, artists and the general public to view the expertise and creativity that went into making each artwork.
Here’s the link to the Museum website. Click Here. The exhibit will run February 7, 2015 through May 3, 2015.
In addition to the quilts on display, the Museum has many other fascinating exhibits and events going on. It’s located in downtown Orlando and there are restaurants nearby for lunch options. It’s a great day trip!!
Here’s an excerpt from the Museum’s website:
About The Exhibition
Using the powerful medium of story quilts, And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations, presented by Orlando Health, narrates nearly four centuries of African American history, from the first slave ships to the first African American president and beyond. Through 69 quilts from more than 60 artists of the Women of Color Quilters Network, the exhibition reveals the stories of freedom’s heroes, ranging from Phillis Wheatley to Frederick Douglass to the Tuskegee Airmen.
Story quilting is an art form that has derived in part from a long, rich history in Ohio and goes beyond the simple quilting patterns many people may be familiar with. Story quilting expands on traditional textile-arts techniques to record, in fabric, events of personal or historical significance. Through the accessibility of their colors, patterns and symbols, the quilts of “And Still We Rise” relate narratives that enable conversations about sensitive topics from our national history, furthering the discussion of racial reconciliation in America.
I was at the museum this past weekend and met two other exhibition participants. I want to thank you for all the inspiration you have given me as well as stirring up childhood memories. Those quilts tell stories so much better than words.
Thanks Debbe for visiting. I am so glad that you enjoyed the exhibit.
That’s wonderful! Good for you. Make more!