Art. Four Centuries of African American History As Told Through Quilts.
by superselected · Art, Exhibitions, Mixed Media, Quilting, The Bruce Museum ·

And Still We Rise
“Lucy Terry Prince: The Griot’s Voice,” 2012, Peggie Hartwell

Currently on view at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut, “And Still We Rise” uses the medium of story quilts to narrate nearly 400 years of African American history.

The show’s curator, Carolyn Mazloomi reached out to 100 members of the 1,500-strong Women of Color Quilters Network to each create a story quilt using one year of African American history as a reference. Mazloomi also happens to have founded the quilters network nearly 30 years ago.

And Still We Rise
“In Memory of Jesse,” Julius Bremer, 2012

And Still We Rise

“The Loving Quilt,” Barbara McCraw, 2012

And Still We Rise

“Katrina Wreckage and Tears…And Still We Rise,” Viola Burly Leak, 2005

And Still We Rise
“Far Into the Night: The Weary Blues,” 2012, Sherise Marie Wright

Forty of the quilts, which employ a variety of techniques, including appliqué, painting, aphoto-transfer and beading, can be seen at the exhibition. The quilts span a wide timeline of events, such as the 1967 Supreme Court case Loving vs State of Virginia, the life and work of Ida B. Wells, and the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina.

You can learn more about some of the quilters below.

And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations from Bruce Museum on Vimeo.