Community Threads Exhibit

Discover the stories behind artistic quilting traditions

Extended Through March 28, 2010!

Discover the stories behind the artistic quilting traditions from the 19^th century to today. The Stowe Center is partnering with Community Health Services, Hartford Stage and other museums and venues in this city-wide arts collaboration.

From Hartford Stage’s production of the play, Gee’s Bend, to the creation of community quilts in neighborhood quilting circles, to the Stowe Center’s presentation of historic and contemporary quilts, the Community Threads project is a metaphor for the connection between the artistic beauty of the quilts and the power of community connections.

At the Stowe Center

My Color Wheel

Thanks to the generous leadership of famed Hartford textile artist Edjohnetta Miller, the Day House and the Stowe Visitor Center are featuring four contemporary quilts on loan from Miller’s private collection:

“My Color Wheel” (1990), by Gee’s Bend artist Polly Raymond.
“Steady’s Suits” (1935) by Lucille Virginia Fowler of North Carolina
“Evening Spirit” (2003), by Edjohnetta Miller of Hartford
“Improv!!!!!What?” (2006) by noted quilt artist and historian Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi of Ohio

In the Stowe House see quilts and coverlets from the Center’s historic collections:

Silk presentation quilt (c.1850) made for Eunice Beecher, wife of Henry Ward Beecher
Two pieced silk coverlets (c.1880 and C. 1890) with remarkably contemporary designs
Crazy Quilt (c.1890), a yet-to-be finished quilt “in progress”
Cockscomb and Poke (c.1870) cotton appliquéd quilt with vibrant red and green leaves, flowers and buds on a white background

Also in the Stowe Visitor Center:

Two quilts made from The American Woman’s Home Collection™ fabric. Commissioned by Windham Fabrics and donated to the Stowe Center in 2007. The fabric was inspired by designs in textiles, wallpaper, porcelain and architectural elements in the Stowe Center’s collections.
A community quilt created by the Quilting Circle at the Hartford Public Library's Barbour Street Branch. Fabric used in this quilt was donated by the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center from our American Woman’s Home Collection™ fabric line.
Create your own quilt square at the “Make It and Take It” craft activity table and add it to our community quilt on display or take it home!

Don’t miss the Thursday, January 7 Salon at Stowe, featuring Hana Sharif, director of the Gee’s Bend play at Hartford Stage; Christopher Baker, Hartford Stage; and David O'Connor, Aid to Artisans. Gee’s Bend tells the real life stories of African American women in rural Alabama whose stunning quilts are acclaimed for their artistic merit and as symbols of women’s economic empowerment in a close-knit community.

On Thursday, January 28, see the 7:30 PM performance of Gee’s Bend at Hartford Stage with a post-performance talk back as part of the Salons at Stowe Winter Series. Discounted tickets are available to Stowe Center friends by calling Hartford Stage at 860.527.5151.

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

Community Threads Exhibit

Discover the stories behind artistic quilting traditions