Small Quilts, Big Stories

June 5 – September 22, 2024

The exhibition Small Quilts: Big Stories presents a selection of 30 small quilts that encompass nearly 200 years of quilt making in America.

Most of the historic quilts on view are from the collection of the show’s curator, Julie Silber, one of the world’s most respected American quilt experts. These include a variety of small 19th century crib and doll quilts by unidentified quilt makers, as well as works by notable artists including a patchwork quilt top by Anna Williams, considered to be one of the country’s most significant 20th century fiber artists. Many styles of quilts are represented, including crazy quilts, complex piecework, and applique.

The exhibition also includes examples of small quilts by contemporary quilt makers selected by Silber for the exhibition. These include Kate Adams, who creates miniature quilts using historic fabrics, and well-known quilters Kyra Hicks, Zak Foster, and Alice Beasley.

By presenting quilt makers known and unknown, the exhibition touches on the contexts in which quilts are made and shows how quilts are cultural “windows,” that carry messages across time.  Quilts hold their own particular stories connected to the people who made them, and as a group document American culture.

Pictured Left:
Central Medallion Doll Quilt
c.1840
Cotton

Pictured Above:
Grandmother’s Flower Garden Doll Quilt
Circa 1930
Cotton