We, the Heritage Quilters, are a community of women and men from Warren and Vance County, North Carolina. In addition to quilting, we are teachers, community leaders and organizers, medical staff, poets, healers, pastors, artists, organizers, engineers, mental health care workers, and writers. We are mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
In these times of uncertainty and crises, we need to look inward and reflect on our values and contributions to humanity, and particularly valuing the lives of Black and Brown people.
The arts are especially important as a form of creative expression and healing. For a thriving and healthy community, the Heritage Quilters encourage voting, completing the census, addressing food insecurity, and promoting dialogue.
We decided to kick-off National Quilting Month with one of our favorite quilters, FAITH RINGGOLD
Faith Ringgold (October 8, 1930 – New York City) is a painter, writer, activist, mixed media sculptor and performance artist, best known for her narrative quilts. Ringgold’s artistic practice is extremely broad and diverse, and includes media from painting to quilts, from sculptures and performance art to children’s books. As an educator, she taught in the New York City Public school system and at the college level. In 1973, she quit teaching public school to devote herself to creating art full-time.
Join us in congratulating Sally Peterson (left), Folklife Program Director with the NC Arts Council on her recent retirement.
Pictured (l-r) ZOE VAN BUREN, NC Folklife Program Director with Heritage Quilters President BELINDA MACK ALSTON | Credit: Crystal Myrick, Absolutely Crystal
We are truly honored to gift this quilted artwork designed by Heritage Quilters president, Belinda Mack Alston for Sally’s dedication, brilliance, and unwavering love for the traditional arts.
Quilt: Belinda Mack Alston (Heritage Quilters) Pottery: Julie Hinson (@PiedmontClayworks)
And to note, the pottery on the left and right of Belinda’s work was crafted by Julie Hinson (@piedmontclayworks), Sally’s daughter and refers to this display as her “mantelpiece of women’s work.”
CONGRATULATIONS SALLY!
May this next chapter of life bring you endless time to do the things you love!
We are deeply humbled and grateful for the steady flow of love and support from everyone who attended our STAY WOKE quilt show.
When it was suggested by one of our quilters to depict social justice issues through the quilting arts, we knew (or at least hoped) the works would transcend beyond fabric and thread.
We wanted to start a discussion. And we did.
When quilt and art enthusiasts crossed the threshold of the Aaron Hendrick house, a historic landmark in Warren County, NC, they were exposed to imagery, some symbolic, some literal, but all meaningful.
Several attendees wanted to know more about the quilts, a step beyond the description cards placed beside them. We graciously obliged.
Thank you to all the town, county, and state officials and everyone who attended our quilt show.
To the art students at the Northwest Collegiate and Technical Academy — We thoroughly enjoyed meeting with you all and were left in awe of your artistic visions and the produced work.
We look forward to seeing you all at the next quilt show. – HQ
Not simply a trending topic on social media or a hit song by Childish Gambino, to be “WOKE” means to become and maintain an awareness of social, identity, and racial injustices plaguing society.
This year, the Heritage Quilters are intertwining this message with intricately selected fabric for our upcoming quilt show, STAY WOKE.
HERITAGE QUILTERS HIGHLIGHT SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN UPCOMING QUILT EXHIBITION,
‘STAY WOKE’
This year’s show
features quilts made by members of Warrenton’s Heritage Quilters and Durham’s African
American Quilt Circle, encompassing social justice issues intricately depicted
through textiles.
(WARRENTON, NC – May 20,
2019) The passion for quilt-making thrives among the Heritage Quilters, a group
of women and men from Warren and Vance counties. Continuing to reflect
the quilters’ enthusiasm for the art form, this year’s show, STAY WOKE depicts
social justice issues intertwined within various textiles. In conjunction with
Public Art Day, the show will open Saturday, June 1, 2019, 10am-4pm at the
Historic Aaron Hendrick House at 105 South Front Street in Warrenton, NC.
“Quilts have always told
stories,” Jereann King Johnson commenting about the quilt show’s theme.
“Contemporary quilters capture in their works current events and stories
relevant to their times.”
Also, the Heritage
Quilters will incorporate quilts from the African American Quilting Circle of
Durham, NC as well as a special addition by the art students of Northwest
Collegiate and Technical Academy in Littleton, NC.
Last Updated: June 19, 2020 by Heritage Quilters
Official Statement For These Times
We, the Heritage Quilters, are a community of women and men from Warren and Vance County, North Carolina. In addition to quilting, we are teachers, community leaders and organizers, medical staff, poets, healers, pastors, artists, organizers, engineers, mental health care workers, and writers. We are mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
In these times of uncertainty and crises, we need to look inward and reflect on our values and contributions to humanity, and particularly valuing the lives of Black and Brown people.
The arts are especially important as a form of creative expression and healing. For a thriving and healthy community, the Heritage Quilters encourage voting, completing the census, addressing food insecurity, and promoting dialogue.
Last Updated: March 2, 2020 by Heritage Quilters
VIDEO: Faith Ringgold: Quilting As An Art Form
We decided to kick-off National Quilting Month with one of our favorite quilters, FAITH RINGGOLD
Faith Ringgold (October 8, 1930 – New York City) is a painter, writer, activist, mixed media sculptor and performance artist, best known for her narrative quilts. Ringgold’s artistic practice is extremely broad and diverse, and includes media from painting to quilts, from sculptures and performance art to children’s books. As an educator, she taught in the New York City Public school system and at the college level. In 1973, she quit teaching public school to devote herself to creating art full-time.
Last Updated: March 2, 2020 by Heritage Quilters
Happy National Quilting Month from the Heritage Quilters!
Hello March and Happy National Quilting Month!
We’re so excited!
We’ll be featuring some of our favorite quilters, quilts, quilt blocks, and all things quilting for the entire month of March!
Posted: February 25, 2020 by Heritage Quilters
Heritage Quilters Gift Sally Peterson, NC Folklife Program Director with Quilted Artwork for Retirement
Join us in congratulating Sally Peterson (left), Folklife Program Director with the NC Arts Council on her recent retirement.
We are truly honored to gift this quilted artwork designed by Heritage Quilters president, Belinda Mack Alston for Sally’s dedication, brilliance, and unwavering love for the traditional arts.
Pottery: Julie Hinson (@PiedmontClayworks)
And to note, the pottery on the left and right of Belinda’s work was crafted by Julie Hinson (@piedmontclayworks), Sally’s daughter and refers to this display as her “mantelpiece of women’s work.”
CONGRATULATIONS SALLY!
May this next chapter of life bring you endless time to do the things you love!
Last Updated: January 19, 2020 by Heritage Quilters
Happy New Year from the Heritage Quilters
Wishing you + yours a Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! 🎉
via GIPHY
Last Updated: August 27, 2019 by Heritage Quilters
THIS SATURDAY: Join the Heritage Quilters at the African American Cultural Festival
Exciting news!
Join the Heritage Quilters THIS Saturday (8/31) at the African American Cultural Festival in Raleigh, NC.
We will hit the stage in the Village Tent at 1:30pm.
For more details, visit the event website here.
Last Updated: August 26, 2019 by Heritage Quilters
HQ Margaret Featured in ‘Family Pictures USA’
HQ Margaret shares her triumphant story behind her quilt for the PBS mini-series, Family Pictures USA.
To read Margaret’s stories and others, check out “Stitching Life Stories.”
Last Updated: June 5, 2019 by Heritage Quilters
HQ Jereann To Be Featured On “State of Things”
HQ Jereann King Johnson will be featured on WUNC’s The State of Things on Thursday, June 6th at 12:40pm ET.
She will be giving her take on the QuiltSpeak exhibit currently on display at the North Carolina Museum of History.
We hope you tune in!
Posted: June 4, 2019 by Heritage Quilters
Thank You!
We are deeply humbled and grateful for the steady flow of love and support from everyone who attended our STAY WOKE quilt show.
When it was suggested by one of our quilters to depict social justice issues through the quilting arts, we knew (or at least hoped) the works would transcend beyond fabric and thread.
We wanted to start a discussion. And we did.
When quilt and art enthusiasts crossed the threshold of the Aaron Hendrick house, a historic landmark in Warren County, NC, they were exposed to imagery, some symbolic, some literal, but all meaningful.
Several attendees wanted to know more about the quilts, a step beyond the description cards placed beside them. We graciously obliged.
Thank you to all the town, county, and state officials and everyone who attended our quilt show.
Special thanks to the African American Quilt Circle of Durham, NC for sharing and allowing us to display your beautiful and poignant works on our walls.
To the art students at the Northwest Collegiate and Technical Academy — We thoroughly enjoyed meeting with you all and were left in awe of your artistic visions and the produced work.
We look forward to seeing you all at the next quilt show. – HQ
Posted: May 21, 2019 by Heritage Quilters
Heritage Quilters Encourage You to ‘STAY WOKE’
Not simply a trending topic on social media or a hit song by Childish Gambino, to be “WOKE” means to become and maintain an awareness of social, identity, and racial injustices plaguing society.
This year, the Heritage Quilters are intertwining this message with intricately selected fabric for our upcoming quilt show, STAY WOKE.
HERITAGE QUILTERS HIGHLIGHT SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN UPCOMING QUILT EXHIBITION, ‘STAY WOKE’
This year’s show features quilts made by members of Warrenton’s Heritage Quilters and Durham’s African American Quilt Circle, encompassing social justice issues intricately depicted through textiles.
(WARRENTON, NC – May 20, 2019) The passion for quilt-making thrives among the Heritage Quilters, a group of women and men from Warren and Vance counties. Continuing to reflect the quilters’ enthusiasm for the art form, this year’s show, STAY WOKE depicts social justice issues intertwined within various textiles. In conjunction with Public Art Day, the show will open Saturday, June 1, 2019, 10am-4pm at the Historic Aaron Hendrick House at 105 South Front Street in Warrenton, NC.
“Quilts have always told stories,” Jereann King Johnson commenting about the quilt show’s theme. “Contemporary quilters capture in their works current events and stories relevant to their times.”
Also, the Heritage Quilters will incorporate quilts from the African American Quilting Circle of Durham, NC as well as a special addition by the art students of Northwest Collegiate and Technical Academy in Littleton, NC.
The show is free and open to the public.