2011 Quilting Programs

Quilts Inspired by Richard Wright
Monday, Jan. 31, 2011; 7 p.m.
Cedar Roe Library
The Cedar Roe Library is proud to host an exhibit of beautiful quilts inspired by the haiku poems of Richard Wright. Created by students from Lawrence Central Junior High School, Antioch Middle School and Roesland Elementary, these impressive narrative quilts serve as a visual discussion of race in America. They will remain on display throughout February, Black History Month. Please join us for refreshments, live readings of Wright’s work and to celebrate the amazing work of local young artists. Registration is not required.

Interested in reading the haikus that have inspired these quilts? Read Haiku: This Other World by Richard Wright.

Freedom Quilts
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011; 3:30 p.m. - CANCELED
Cedar Roe Library
This event has been canceled.

Featured Quilter

Marla Jackson
The Central Resource Library will exhibit the story quilts of renowned artist Marla Jackson. Marla's quilts depict scenes and themes that capture the pride, spirit, pain and joy of the African-American experience. Each of Marla Jackson's quilts tells a story. Most of these stories are personal, such as the one depicting the birth of her first son. Others were born from stories shared by her great-grandmother, Lucille Crum, who's mother was a former slave. Marla's quilts will be on display the first two weeks of Black History Month.

From Marla Jackson:
Quilting allows me to access a place deep within my soul where absolute peace is present. I am at quilting poet, whose intention is to provide opportunities to challenge common beliefs, promote questioning, and to inspire others to change their world to be a better place for all people.

Langston Hughes is a favorite inspirational and subject. The quilt entitled "Langston Hughes: Not Without Laughter" depicts important people and events in his life that shaped him into become the exceptional person that he was.

Quilting has bought me to a greater understanding of my family history as well as the broader histories of the African-American experience. I am particularly drawn to stories and images depicting slavery and freedom, specifically as it resulted from efforts of the Underground Railroad.

Often I wake up in the middle of night with my mind full of images. I immediately begin sketching what my mind’s eye conceptualizes. These midnight drawings are then realized through the quilting process. My desire is to continue to have opportunities to share my work, my vision, and our collective narratives and histories.

Additional Information

• Marla Jackson's website
• Native Son Youth Exhibit
• Quilts: The African American Experience booklist

About Marla Jackson's Sankofa Quilt
Jackson's quilt Sankofa (pictured right) is inspired by the silhouettes in Aaron Douglas's* monochromatic art and the celebration of her love for African-Americans. The African traditional philosophy of "Sankofa" involves remembering our past in order to move into the future. In her quilt, the figure at the far left looks backwards, but leads the other figures forwards. "Sankofa" is also the title of a powerful film depicting the origins and remnants of slavery as well as ways to move forward.

Jackson's depiction of Sankofa philosophy is a holistic expression of the movement, celebration, and the will of freedom. Sankofa includes, as well as explodes, multiple binaries such as the tensions between black and white, traditional and unorthodox, forgotten and remembered, secular and spiritual.

The name "Sankofa" is actually an Akan (Ghanaian vernacular) word that means, "We must go back and reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we understand why and how we came to..."

The women depicted on the Sankofa quilt are Ms. Jackson, her mother, and her sister.

*Douglas was an African-American painter and a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He was born in Topeka Kansas.

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