Quilts and the Stories They Tell
On exhibit January 7 – March 14, 2021
Take a close look at a quilt and you can almost hear the words of the maker, the fabric, and the purpose of this utilitarian work of art. But while every quilt has a backstory, the story quilt starts with a message. A story quilt may include words, photos, non-traditional fabrics, and embellishments along with more standard quilting techniques and materials.
In this exhibit, we bring together the stories of a variety of individuals – master quilt artist Lauren Kingsland, her apprentice Grammy award-winning Cathy Fink, and members of the Uhuru Quilters Guild. While the expertise of the quilters varies, each artist has the ability to tell a story in fabric in a unique and nuanced way, through choices of color, texture, design, and embellishment.
Ms. Kingsland will be sharing a series of personal story journal page quilts marking significant moments in her life as well as one of her newest works, “Why I Vote.” Among Ms. Fink’s quilts is one about a song she wrote honoring a friend who died in the AIDS epidemic, an ironic project to complete during another pandemic. And among the varied quilts on exhibit by the Uhuru Quilters are those that respond to current events through the long lens of history. Some of the artists have exhibited nationally, like one by Angela Lanier, whose work was recently juried into We Are The Story at the Textile Center in Minneapolis, MN.
In conjunction with this exhibit, several programs will be offered: a hands-on workshop in telling a simple story in fabric led by Ms. Kingsland; a live-streamed performance by Cathy Fink and Marcie Marxer; and a presentation on herstory through quilts by Ms. Lanier.
Inspired by Malcolm: A Passion for Shino
June 10, 2021 – September 5, 2021
Inspired by Malcolm: A Passion for Shino remembers and honors the memory of Malcolm Davis, a man who influenced and inspired so many to listen and believe their inner hearts. After serving as a minister for twenty years, Davis’s life changed when he took his first ceramics class in 1973. But the spirit of ministering never left him. After perfecting a carbon-trapping Shino glaze, he took the unusual step of publishing the formula for public use. Recognized for his artistry and passion, Davis traveled widely teaching others about pottery. This became his new ministry.
This exhibit brings together Malcolm’s friends, family, and artists to focus on the inner question of why someone devotes themselves to something – in this case, clay.
Inspired by Malcolm: A Passion for Shino is supported in part by Judith Davis, Baltimore Clayworks, District Clay and Montgomery Potters.
