Adriene Cruz: The February 1999 Smithsonian Magazine shows the framed portrait of Adriene Cruz that is part of the "Communion of the Spirits: African-American Quilters, Preservers and Their Stories" exhibit. The quilt is titled "Dunumba" (African Rhythm), and the frame was designed by her.
· Deborah Under the Palm Tree: Large image of quilt plus contact information.
· ArtMom Story: Brief sketch of Adriene’s life as she integrates being an artist with being a mom.
Barbara Payne : The Underground Railroad
Barbara Pietila: Image of her quilt "They Sold Aunt Nettie Down South".
Carole Harris: An article about the work of Carole Harris, "Memory, Quilts & Jazz" with images of her quilts (be sure to click the arrow at the end of the text to see the quilts).
· Quilting Sisters – African-American Quilting in Michigan: Image of "Appropriateness of Yellow", a quilt designed by Carole Harris and pieced by Laura Rodin is displayed as part of this exhibit.
· Creating Memory: A Conversation with Carole Harris, A Detroit-Based Quilt Artist: Full text of an article in Ijele: Art eJournal of the African World (2000)
Carolyn Mazloomi: This will link you to the web site of one of the most well-known quilt artists today who is of African-American heritage. An internationally renown author (Spriits of the Cloth: Contemporary African-American Quilts), lecturer, quilt historian, curator and founder of the Women of Color Quilter’s Network, Dr. Mazloomi’s work is found in numerous museum, corporate and private collections. The site is outstanding and provides extensive information about the artist, including many images of her work. Following are additional web sites that profile Carolyn Mazloomi and her work:
· "Cloth" Written as if Quilts Could Talk: Newspaper review of Spirits of the Cloth that describes quilts by Julia Payne, Roland Freeman, Carolyn Cameron, Frances Hare, and Julia McAdoo. Image of "Three Women" by Julia McAdoo is shown.
· "Nine of Spades": Carolyn Mazloomi is one of the 54 artists invited to participate in the Full Deck quilt challenge. The exhibition that opened at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery in 1994.
· Quilts Show Woman Power – Forest Park Artist Nurtures Talent in Others: Newpaper article showing Carolyn Mazloomi in a gallery photo.
· Exhibit – Thirteen Moons Gallery : Four of the quilts are shown
· Stitching the Dream: 1997 article profiling Carolyn Mazloomi and the establishment of the Women of Color Quilter’s Network. Nonclickable image of one quilt is shown. (NOTE: IT TAKES SOME EFFORT TO LOCATE THIS ARTCLE – USE THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS):
- Click on the "Stitching the Dream" hyperlink
- Click the "Archives" hyperlink at the top of the page
- Scroll to bottom of the page and click the "1997" hyperlink
- Type "Mazloomi" (without the quote marks) in the "Search" box
- Click on the hyperlink for the first item found
Cathleen Richardson Bailey: This is her official website.
· Absolute Arts: Website where Cathleen’s quilts can be purchased.
· Langston Hughes Library: Shows image of a quilt designed by Cathleen for the library with a grant from the Surdna Foundation
· Shh!!
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"The Jazz Poet" – Created in honor of Langston Hughes for the Children’s Defense Fund by a grant from the Surdna Foundation.
Cassandra Graves: Gallery page on the website of the Quilters of Color Network of New York, Inc. Shows images of two quilts as well as biographical information detailing how she became involved with this art form.
· Man in the Corner: Another image at the same website.
Charlotte Hunter: Article about her work in the Cincinnati Enquirer. Images of two quilts shown (clickable for close up views)
· Quilt/Poet Threads Her Artistry with African-American History: This is another article with one image.
Charlotte ONeal: An African-American quilter who has lived in Tanzania for over 30 years.
Cuesta Benberry: Internationally renown quilt historian, archivist, lecturer, author, curator, Cuesta Benberry is the 1983 Quilter’s Hall of Fame Honoree. Author of Always There: The African-American Presence in American Quilts, and co-author (with Carol Pinney Crabb) of Patchwork Pieces: An Anthology of Quilt Fiction, Cuesta Benberry serves on the Board of Directors of the Quilter’s Hall of Fame.
· Brochure of A Piece of My Soul exhibit: Lot of information and pictures of quilts.
· A Piece of My Soul: Quilts by Black Arkansans: Review of the book.
· "Top 10 Titles for the Study of Quilts from Seven Quilt Historians": Take a look at what Cuesta recommends for building a quilt library. (NOTE: this does not focus on books about African-American quilters)
· Afro-American Women and Quilts: Although her quilting focus has primarily been on historical development, Cuesta is also a quilter. This site shows an image of one of Cuesta’s quilts.
Denise Allen: This is where many images of her work can be found.
Denise Fox : This shows a close-up of the upper-left corner of her quilt using African and aboriginal (Australian) fabrics.
Dinga McCannon: This is her official website.
· Art in Embassies Program: Jazz Mobile is on exhibit at the American Embassy in Lagos
Dorothy Holden: Images of two of her quilts are displayed as well as a very brief profile.
· "Five of Diamonds": Along with Carolyn Mazloomi, Dorothy Holden was one of the 54 artists invited to participate in the Full Deck quilt challenge which was exhibited at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery in 1994. Unfortunately, only a few of these quilts can now be viewed on the web.
Earthleen Briggs: Images of many of her quilts are available as well as African fabrics that can be ordered.
EdJohnetta Miller: This is her official website.
· Article: An excellent article from a school newsletter about EdJohnetta’s visit and talk with students.
· "Lighting the Flame": EdJohnetta’s entry in the "Women of Taste" exhibit. (Scroll half-way down the page to view it)
Edna Patterson Petty: Human Wrongs, Ednas entry in the Roots of Racism Exhibit. This quilt has also become part of the Art in Embassies program and will be in the American Embassy in Pakistan.
· Mask 2001: This is a large scale image of a piece in an exhibit at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Elizabeth Talford Scott: This site gives a detailed review of her exhibit, "Eyewinkers, Tumbleturds and Candlebugs: the
Art of Elizabeth Talford Scott". The image of one quilt is included.
· Traditions/Generations: Biographical information about Elizabeth and her daughter, Joyce.
· Elizabeth Scott Shows the Craft of Quilts: Detailed review of an exhibit in Winston-Salem, NC. One quilt, "Rocks in Prison" is shown.
Faith Ringgold: This is the official web site of Faith Ringgold who is undoubtedly the most famous contemporary quilt artist of African American heritage. As an artist, author of many children’s books, and lecturer, she is internationally renown. This site provides a biography and information about current and permanent exhibitions and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about her work, as well as access to images of her work by category (public collections, private collections, ACA galleries, permanent installations, as well as museum and gallery exhibitions). Images are clickable for close-up views. Following are additional web sites that profile Faith Ringgold and her work:
· A Century of Quilts: Documentary by PBS profiling Faith Ringgold.
· Artist Profile: Faith Ringgold: This article gives an in-depth profile of Faith Ringgold.
· Dancing at the Louvre: Faith Ringgold’s French Collection and Other Story Quilts – An extensive article about this exhibit; includes a slide show.
· Art & Life – A (very) few words with noted painted and quilt-maker Faith Ringgold: A newspaper article about a ten-minute telephone interview with Faith Ringgold about how her work and life fit together.
· Faith Ringold: Her Story in Text and Image: Extensive information Faith Ringgold and images of her work from an exhibit held at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2000.
· Faith Ringgold – Images: This Art in Context web site hosts Faith Ringgold’s home page. It will take the viewer directly to all of the images of her work that are available on the site. All are double clickable for very enlarged views.
· Faith Ringgold’s Story Quilts: This is a six page (printed), in-depth book review by Jack Foley of The Alsop Review
· Points of View – Looking At Five Contemporary Female Artists of Color: A biography and profile of Faith Ringgold is given.
· Racial Questions: Faith Ringgold has long been concerned with racial issues. This is a website devoted to that specific topic that she developed.
· "The Dinner Quilt" – Discussion: This site shares points of view about "The Dinner Quilt" by Faith Ringgold from the perspective of four disciplines – an Aesthetician, Art Critic, Art Historian, and the Artist. It does not provide access to an image of the work discussed, but it can be accessed by clicking here.
· Historical Survey of Women Writers – Faith Ringgold: Extensive essay by Optic Magazine
· Faith Ringgold’s Story Quilts: Detailed review by Jack Foley with biographical & other information.
As a successful and prominent artist, Faith Ringgold has had to contend personally with an issue concerning many quilt artists today – copyright violation. A number of sites were detailing the case were initially available, but are no longer accessible. However, info about her legal battle can be obtained at the following site:
Georgia Thomas: Savannah fiber artist who creates quilts and wearable art.
· "The Fabric of Life is Art": article about her in the Savannah Morning News
Gwendolyn A. Magee: Or Gwendolyn Magee, or Gwen Magee. At any rate, that’s me! The link will take you to the "About Me" page. There you can read my Artist Resume, but the gallery isn’t up as yet. You can also find me on page 372 of Communion of the Spirits…, and on pages 128, 167, 170, and 184 of Spirits of the Cloth…
· The Power of a Series: Gwen Magee Finds Inspiration in an Anthem: Abbreviated version of an article in the Fall 2001 issue of Quilting Quarterly, the Journal of the National Quilting Association.
Gyleen Fitzgerald : Has been featured in Quilt Magazine on the use of color in quilts.
Janet Taylor Pickett: Brief review of a 1997 exhibit. No images.
Poem for My Farther" – Scroll halfway down the page to view the quilt.
Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney : This is a logo that was designed using Jacquelyns drawings and images from one of her quilts.
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Dancing to the Rhythms : Scroll ¾ way down the page to view this quilt
Jim Smoote : One of that rare breed of male art quilters. This piece is titled, Buju
Julianne McAdoo: An image of her quilt, Three Women is shown in this review of the Spirits of the Cloth exhibit
Karen Boutte: This is her official website.
· Benicianews.com: This is an in-depth profile of Karen Boutte
· HGTV – "Simply Quilts" episode: Full instruction is provided on how to make an African Mask Quilt.
Kianga Hanif: Kiangas entry in the Roots of Racism exhibit
· Dolls Made by Friends: Shows some of her dolls.
Kyra Hicks: The personal web site of Kyra Hicks provides an in-depth profile of her including the image of a quilt she created in tribute to a family elder, a dear aunt who was 91 years old at the time.[Special Note: She was introduced to her husband by Mary McLeod Bethune and Zora Neale Hurston was a witness at her wedding!] Be sure to read the letter her aunt wrote to express her feelings.
· Black Threads: An African American Quilting Sourcebook: Kyra has compiled the first comprehensive guide to African American quilt history and contemporary practices containing over 1,700 bibliographic references, many of them annotated, covering exhibit catalogs, books, newspapers, magazines, dissertations, films, novels, poetry, speeches, works of art, advertisements, patterns, greeting cards, auction results, ephemeral items, and online resources on African American quilting. AVAILABLE Fall of 2002
Lauren Austin: A large view of "Homage to the Disappeared" is shown, along with links to a view of the back and two quilt details. Submitted to the Quilt Art Online Critique Group, an in-depth artist’s statement is included. This quilt is touring with the Expressions of Freedom exhibit with the United Nations building as one of the venues. It also was pictured in Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine.
Lisa Shepard: She is the author of African Accents: Fabrics and Crafts to Decorate Your Home, and Global Expressions: Decorating With Fabrics From Around the World. She additionally has a 25-minute video with instructions on how to make an African Mosaic Quilt.
Lois Mailou Jones: In her early career was a textile designer for the F. A. Foster Company and Schumacher’s of New York.
"Lois Mailou Jones on the Joys and Frustrations of Recognition Deferred" : This is a must read article!
Lois Mailou Jones Gallery: This site shows images of two of her textile designs -absolutely beautiful!
Marlene O’Bryant Seabrook: Marlene O’Bryant Seabrook’s web site is designed to encompass a broad range of her interests, from heritage, to family, to the journey that has brought her to this stage in her life. Internal links provide access to: historical information about Harriet Powers and the special quilt that Marlene created in her honor; another quilt commissioned for the centennial celebration of her alma mater, South Carolina State College; and some of the African-American quilters with who she networks regularly. Another site displaying Marlene’s work:
· A Stitch in Time: An extensive review of an exhibit of Marlene’s work at Western Carolina University’s Chelsea Gallery.
· America Quilts Online Gallery: Image of a quilt by Marlene O’Bryant Seabrook "Harriet Powers: A Darling Offspring of Her Brain" and information about its construction is given. Image clickable for a larger view.
Martha Stamper: This site shows images and close-up details of six of her quilts that were on exhibit in 2001 at the Paul Sawyier Public Library in Frankfort, KY.
Mary Louise Smith: Mary Louise Smith is President of the Quilter’s of Color Network of New York, Inc., and has been exhibited and/or conducted workshops at the American Craft Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Museum of American Folk Art, and the UFA Gallery-New York, among many others. A gallery of her work is slated to be activated on her web site later this year.
Melinda Moore Larkin: Wonderful fiber artist. The last (3rd) photo on the top row is one of her works.
· Pomgranate’s Melinda Moore Larkin Gallery: This is a site that sells a wide variety of her fiber art designs as postcards, magnates, note cards and address books.
Michael Cummings: Michael is probably the most well known male African-American quilter. This is his official website. Following is another site with his work:
· "Springtime in Memphis": Image of this quilt
· Powerful Impressions, Stitch by Stitch: This 1998 article in the Christian Science Monitor is a profile of Michael Cummings and an in-depth review of his exhibit at Bates College. One image is shown which is a detail of "Kitty and the Fireflies in the Bush # 11" (1991).
Myrah Brown-Green: This is an image of Revelation: The Circle of Life Prevails, Myrahs entry in the Roots of Racism exhibit. It was awarded a prize for third place.
· Dancin At the Tree of Life
NedRa Bonds : Jubilation
Nikki and Annie Smith: Hips, Lips and Hair is their entry in the Roots of Racism exhibit.
Peggie Hartwell: This is a text and an audio interview with Peggie Hartwell found in the Smithsonian Archives of American Art.
· YMI Cultural Center Features Master Quilter: In depth article about an exhibit. Image of "The Journey" is shown.
Phyllis Jackson Harris: Scroll to bottom of page to view three of her quilts
Phyllis Stevens: This is the Hearne Fine Art website and shows many quilts by Phyllis.
Quilt Exhibits Reviews and Online Tours:
· A Communion of the Spirits: This is an extensive book review by Nancy Cameron Armstrong, Chairperson of the Canadian Quilt Study Group (a wonderful organization, unfortunately the CQSG is now defunct).
– Journal of American Folklore, Winter 2001: This is a very extensive review of the exhibit. No images.
· Spirits of the Cloth: Contemporary African-American Quilts: An extensive review in Carolina Arts. It includes images of Sixteen Feet of Dance A Celebration; a Self-Portrait by Frances Hare, and The Wedding Party: The History of Our Nation is Really the Story of Families by Dindga McCannan. Other reviews include:
– Beyond the Bedspread: includes images of Khemetic Paradise by Myrah Brown-Green; Peaceful Lagoon by Sandra K. German; Camouflage, A Means of Survival by Betty Leacraft; The Guiding Star by Ruth Ward; 16 Feet of Dance by Frances Hare; and Ode to Edmund by Wini Akissi McQueen.
– Quilts Celebrating African American Spirit at the Smithsonian American Art Museums Renwick Gallery: Extensive review, no images
– Stitch in Time: A virtual tour of the "Spirits of the Cloth: Contemporary Quilts by African-Americans" exhibit when it was at the University of Houston. Most, though not all of the quilts are accessible. (NOTE: It requires the Quicktime plugin that can be quickly downloaded from the site). Instructions for the tour:
- Click on Room 1 or Room 2 or Room 3 (either low or high quality depending on what your computer can handle)
- If you get a message saying that you do not have Active-X installed, download it if you wish, but it is not required. Just click cancel to continue.
- Hold your left mouse button down over the image screen and slowly move it to the right or the left it will be as if you are actually walking through the museum
- Continually click on the magnifying glass with the + sign at the bottom of the screen to magnify the image of each quilt as large as you wish
· Threads of Freedom: The Underground Railroad Story in Quilts: Extensive review including images of Middle Passage by Viola Burley Leak; Shh!! by Cathleen Richardson Bailey; Dancin at the Tree of Life and Wandering Spirit by Myra Brown Green, The Underground Railroad by Barbara Payne, among others.
Rachel Clark: Creates stunning wearable art. This is her official website.
· Alliance for American Quilts: This is an in-depth interview with Rachel Clark. Includes an image of her modeling one of her garments as well as one of the vests she has created.
· HGTV "Simply Quilts" episode: "Nigerian Applique". Image of a pillow created with this technique is provided, but no instructions.
