Africa International House USA, Inc. Launches 33rd annual African Festival of the Arts with Juneteenth weekend Black Quilt Making Symposium and Exhibitions
Africa International House USA, Inc. Launches 33rd annual African Festival of the Arts with Juneteenth weekend Black Quilt Making Symposium and Exhibitions
_________________________________________________ART & AGENCY: Exploring the African American Quilting Tradition
By Devorah Crable
Quilts made from remnants of discarded fabric may also hold remnants of histories that reveal how a craft art bonds Africans of the diaspora and continues to provide social, economic, and cultural agency for Black people globally. The Juneteenth 3:00pm symposium, ART & AGENCY: Exploring the African American Quilting Tradition at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, will examine the possibility of a cross-cultural exchange between African and African Americas during the trans-Atlantic slavery experience and later through the back to Africa movements of the 1800’s.
The power of quilt art to generate economies for impoverished Black communities will be shared from the perspective of post-disciplinary artist and quilt artist Basil Kincaid co-founder of The Reclamation Project in Ghana. The distinguished panelists will also offer their thoughts on how the contemporary Black quilt art movement is impacting appreciation of the Black aesthetic.
Dr. Pearlie Johnson’s research will show how traditional West African textile techniques, particularly narrow-strip weaving, continues to influence African American strip quilting in North America.
“The theme of liberation is celebrated during the Juneteenth weekend, which acknowledges the day when Texas slaves received word of their emancipation. The quilt symposium will explore the role of quilts in determining the freedom of US slaves,” says Patrick Woodtor, co-founder of Africa International House USA, Inc (AIH).
AIH went to Liberia to secure symposium participation of the Liberian Quageh – meaning “we are doing it” – quilters, formed following Liberia’s civil crisis from 1989-1996 to generate income. It is believed, their quilting skills were passed on from former slaves who went to Liberia as “free men of color” through the American Colonization Society.This year, AIH celebrates the 33rd anniversary of its premier initiative the African Festival of the Arts (Setp.2-5) which, at the behest of quilter and panelist Reneau Diallo and colleagues, has presented a Quilt Pavilion since 1999.
Distinguished presenters and panelists include Northwestern University scholars and professors including Dr. Tracy Vaughn-Manley, whom the late Noble and Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Toni Morrison commissioned to create a quilt. Dr. Manley’s research examines Black women quilters who use their quilt work, “to mark the legacy, to mark their presence, to define themselves as artists, and to really enter into the framework of those who are creating and preserving American folk culture.”
Dr. Sally Nuamah, award winning author whose research sits at the intersection of race, gender, education policy, and political behavior, aims to support the social and political empowerment of women and girls. Dr. Nuamah will speak to the subject of “Agency.”
Internationally acclaimed quilter Jim Smoote II, mixed media and fabric artist, will address how men in early African societies had a strong presence in the textile trades and how, now, U.S. men are reemerging as a viable voice in the current woman dominated quilt arena.
Shantay Robinson, arts scholar, George Mason University PhD candidate, and journalist for Black Art in America and the Smithsonian Magazine will lead the conversation.
Quilt exhibitions coordinated by Doris Barnes featuring quilts by members of the Needles and Threads Quilt Guild of Chicago, Liberian Quageh quilters and invited quilters will be presented at the AIH Center for Contemporary African Art & Culture at the Harris Park Field House beginning June 1 and The DuSable Museum of African American History Juneteenth weekend.
"Quilting is the art form that is most symbolic of African and African American - African diasporic culture where we take things that are considered scraps and we find beauty in them and we meld them together to make things that are useful, " said Kim L. Dulaney, EdD, Director of Education and Programs, The DuSable Museum of African American History.
Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s largest tourist destinations, is also hosting a companion quilt exhibition June 10 through July 31.
“Fundamental to our mission and identity as the People’s Pier is the celebration of the many cultures that define Chicago, and we’re especially appreciative of works that help people understand the journey of others.” Said Erika Taylor, Navy Pier Vice President of Arts, Culture, and Engagement. “The quilts in the Art & Agency exhibition live as visually stunning reminders of history, emblems of family, and profound symbols of interconnectedness.”
Registration is required for both the live and virtual symposium experiences presented by a grant from the Terra Foundation for American Art. Information and registration are available at www.AIHUSA.org.
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