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The main attraction at the show is six quilts and three quilters from Gee's Bend, Ala. Lucy Mingo, Ruth Kennedy and Louisiana Bendolph, who represent three generations, will travel 589 miles to show off their handiwork, which has become renowned in art and quilting communities worldwide.
The quilts are much different in appearance than traditional quilts, said Norma Jeane Ferguson, co-chairman of the 2009 quilt show.
(Contributed photo)
Ferguson said architecture influences the pattern of the quilts, some of which are called "housetop blocks" or "bricklayer."
Although the quilts have received wide critical acclaim, Ferguson said they can appear rather dissonant on first glance.
"The traditional quilter thinks these are awful quilts," she said.
She said frequent critiques are that the stitches are too big or the borders are too crooked, but pointed out that many of the quilts were not made for aesthetic reasons.
"The women of Gee's Bend make quilts to keep their kids warm," Ferguson said.
Women worked with the materials they had on hand, often scraps of worn-out clothing or leftovers from a nearby garment factory, to piece together their quilts.
The three Gee's Bend quilters will be present at the quilt show due to Ferguson's hard work and fundraising efforts. Missouri Valley College is paying for the quilters' lodgings, and Marshall Tourism Commission and individual donors have also contributed funds toward bringing the guests to town.
When she decided to become the quilt show co-chair, Ferguson said, "If I'm going to do it, I'm going to have a big show."
She added, "My dream was to get the Gee's Bend quilters here."
On Friday night, MVC is hosting a reception for the quilters. During the quilt show itself, they will be on hand to talk about their art, along with Matt Arnett, who will be giving a slide show presentation about the quilters throughout the day.
Saturday evening, the quilters and the quilt guild will attend a carry-in dinner at North Street Methodist Church, organized by Ferguson and Ward III Councilman Sam Moten.
"We're just going to eat and sing and have a good time," Ferguson said.
She said the Gee's Bend quilters have been recognized for their vocal abilities as well as their sewing skills.
They have released a CD of the music they sing while making quilts.
In addition to the six quilts accompanying the quilters, there will be 11 more Gee's Bend quilts on display in the Y's gym from the private collection of Maude Wahlman, the director of Global Arts Initiative at University of Missouri-Kansas City.
According to Ferguson, Wahlman is one of the leading authorities on black quilters, and she is tentatively scheduled to attend the quilt show as well.
The quilt show's theme is "Oh, the Places You'll Go," taken from the Dr. Seuss book of the same name. Ferguson said the Gee's Bend quilts certainly fit in with the theme.
Even though many of the quilters have never left Alabama, "their quilts have traveled the world," she said.
Also at the show, there will also be a silent auction for miniature quilts and a raffle for one large quilt, made by guild members, called "A Touch of French Country."
Quilt guild members will display their quilts, and show attendees get to cast votes for the "best in show" winners.
Some quilts made by the guild will also be for sale.
The quilt show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. Admission is $3.
The quilt raffle drawing will be at the end of the show on Sunday evening.
Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net
Related Stories:
Country Patchwork Quilt Guild to show Gee's Bend quilts:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1506545.html
MVC to host reception for famous quilters:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1568914.html
On the Web:
http://quiltsofgeesbend.com/index.shtml