Quilt Exhibition Extended to March 28 at Hill-Stead Museum (Farmington CT)

Due to popular demand, Hill-Stead Museum has extended their first loan exhibition of historic and contemporary quilts, thanks to the generosity of SAQA-CT artist EdJohnetta Miller.  Originally scheduled to end on February 28th, the museum will keep the quilts on display a full month longer.  The five quilts on load from Ms Miller were created by four African American artists: Charlotte McKinney of Statham GA, Qunnie Pettway and Polly Raymond of Gee’s Bend AL, and EdJohnetta herself.

(Coat of Many Colors by Qunnie Pettway, shown on left)

The exhibition was included in the Community Threads Project celebration of fiber art in Hartford, CT over the winter.  Community Threads featured displays of historic, traditional and contemporary quilts in public venues around the city, in coordination with the Hartford Stage production of Gee’s Bend: The Musical.

“We are thrilled with the community’s response to this exhibition,” commented Hill-Stead’s Director, Dr. Sue Sturtevant, “It has been even better than we imagined. And one of the best aspects of it is that the museum’s architect and founder, Theodate Pope Riddle, would be among the first to champion the Community Threads project and the importance of having these quilts on the beds here. From the project’s celebration of community and teamwork, to the strength and independence of the Gee’s Bend women, to the actual stitchery itself – Theodate ran a small sewing school in her earliest years at Hill-Stead – she would be thrilled that Hill-Stead Museum is a part of this exciting exhibition and all of its components.” (quoted from ConnecticutPlus.com News: http://www.connecticutplus.com/cplus/information/news/Art/Hill-Stead-Museum-extends-Gee-s-Bend-Quilt-exhibition-through-March-28-201076527652.shtml)

The museum’s period rooms are open for tours Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am – 3 pm, November - April, and 10 am – 4 pm May - October. The last tour of the day begins one hour before closing. Grounds are open to the public daily 7:30 am-5:30 pm.

For tour and program information, browse www.hillstead.org or call 860.677.4787.