Story Quilts Exhibition to

Open at Middlebury College Museum of Art Jan. 9

Several Events to Take Place in

Conjunction with the Exhibition

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.—From Jan. 9 through

June 3, the Middlebury College Museum of Art will present an

exhibition titled Story Quilts: Voices in Cloth. First made in the

18th century, story quilts present visual narratives that parallel

the art of storytelling. Traditionally, story quilts focus on the

themes of domestic life and family histories, biblical sagas, and

historic events. More recently, artists have embraced the story quilt

format to reestablish a link with history, express personal views and

concerns, or recount feminist narratives. Story Quilts: Voices in

Cloth features story quilts by two contemporary African-American

artists, Peggie L. Hartwell and Faith Ringgold, as well as two

historic narrative quilts from the Shelburne Museum.

The exhibition opens with two

19th-century quilts. An 1876 Appliqued and Pieced Quilt includes two

blocks celebrating the Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia in

addition to scenes of home life and biblical sagas. Pieced Quilt,

Figurative Mosaic Pattern, circa 1880-1920, includes two

African-American figures. As was common at the time, the design

probably evolved from a popular cross-stitch manual. The works are on

loan from the Shelburne Museum, which has one of the most significant

collections of historic quilts in the country.

The exhibition also features three

recent quilts by Peggie L. Hartwell, a member of the Women of Color

Quilting Network. Ode to Harriet Powers, 1995, pays tribute to a

celebrated 19th-century quilter. Six vignettes recall Powers’

favorite themes, including the crucifixion of Christ, Moses healing

the children, and Jonah and the whale. Hartwell’s The Storyteller,

1996, was inspired by the memory of her grandfather. Described as a

consummate storyteller, capable of mesmerizing his audience, William

Tyler Sr. is depicted with vivid colors that parallel the richness of

his stories. In the same vein, The Home-Going of Rosie Lee Hartwell

Memorial Quilt, 2000, is a moving and bittersweet celebration of the

artist’s mother’s life following her passing.

Three important story quilts by

Faith Ringgold, the celebrated artist and best-selling author of

children’s books, are also included. Tar Beach 2, 1990, recounts the

allegorical adventures of young Cassie Louise Lightfoot, one of

Ringgold’s alter egos, in 1930s Harlem. After a family picnic on the

roof of a brownstone-the tar beach-Cassie dreams she can fly around

the city. The French Collection, Part I: #2, Wedding on the Seine,

1991, presents the story of the fictional artist Willia Marie Simone,

who flees her own wedding ceremony because she foresees marriage

interfering with her dream of becoming an artist. Originally

conceived as a performance piece, The Bitter Nest Part 5: Homecoming,

1998, is the culmination of a series chronicling the struggles and

triumphs of fictional characters CeeCee and her daughter Cecilia over

several decades.

Several activities, all of which are

free and open to the public, will be offered in conjunction with the

exhibition:

· Slide Lecture and Book

Signing: On Sunday, Jan. 21, Middlebury College Twilight Scholar

Faith Ringgold will present a slide lecture entitled “Story Quilts

and Children’s Books,” from 2-4 p.m. in the Concert Hall in the

Center for the Arts. A book signing will follow at 4:30 p.m.

· Children’s Museum Event: On

Saturday, Feb. 17, “Explore Story Quilts by Faith Ringgold,” a free,

drop-in program for children ages 5-12 and accompanying adults, will

be offered in the Museum from 12:30-1:30 p.m. To make reservations,

contact Sandi Olivo at (802) 443-2248.

· Gallery Talk: Artist Peggie

L. Hartwell will present a gallery talk about story quilts on Sunday,

March 11, at 2 p.m. in the Museum.

The Middlebury College Museum of Art

and the Concert Hall are located in the Center for the Arts on South

Main Street (Route 30) in Middlebury, Vt. Admission is free at all

times. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and

weekends, noon-5 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays. For more

information, contact Tony Lewis, acting assistant director of the

Middlebury College Museum of Art, at (802) 443-5252.