AROUND THE FRAME: BLACK HISTORY MONTH

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT AFRICAN-AMERICAN QUILT EXHIBIT

The Sisters of the Cloth Quilting Guild will exhibit quilts from the 1930s to present in the Krull Gallery at the downtown Allen County Public Library from February 20-March 30. The Gallery will be open regular library hours.

The library exhibit coincides with Black History/African-American History Month. The quilt makers range from teenagers to ninety-young-at-hearts. African and African-American made quilts are known for their vibrant colors and geometric designs. Kente cloth, discussed in the previous article, will be found in this exhibit.

Besides the library the guild members share their love and pride in their quilts by displaying them throughout the area in schools, museums, community centers and events such as the Marie Webster Celebration in Marion, Indiana.

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Founded in Fort Wayne in 1999 the Sisters of the Cloth Quilting Guild’s motto is “Each one teach one”. The motto reflects the guild’s purpose to teach and preserve the art of quilting for future generations. No wonder Traditional Arts Indiana magazine chose to feature them in an article.

As in many endeavors, teaching starts at home as guild members involve their children and grandchildren in the making of their quilts. Guild members volunteer to teach the art of quilting at area high schools and at shows where teenagers and younger children alike can try their hand at constructing a quilt.

An active guild, the Sisters of the Cloth twice hosted the annual Gathering of Quilters to huge success. The Gathering is celebrated annually on International Quilting Day the third Saturday of March at various locations around Indiana.

As a non-profit, the Sisters not only quilt together for their own enjoyment and company, they quilt to benefit their community. Each year the members decide on a charity project. Project Linus and daycare center children, seniors and veterans have all received lap quilts or pillowcases made by the loving hands of the guild members.

Make certain to plan to come downtown to see the exhibit and if you like, stop by and see me upstairs at 124 West Wayne Street where there is always a quilt in the frame!

Lois Eubank is the owner of Born Again Quilts a restoration studio. She may be contacted at 260- 515-9446.