July 15 – November 19, 2011
The thirty-one intriguing quilts in this exhibition transcend their practical function as warm coverings for beds, becoming decorative fabric collages expressing personal identity and telling powerful stories. African-American quilters from Alabama have earned national and international praise for the brilliant contrasting colors, bold patterns, and freely syncopated designs of their quilts. More interested in self-expression than precise stitching and perfect geometric regularity, they have brought improvisation, originality, and energy to a traditional craft. One section of the exhibit features the story quilts of Yvonne Wells that deal with the civil rights movement, popular culture, and religious themes.
