Issaquah Highlands Connections
September 2015
B L A K E LY H A L L A R T G A L L E R Y
African-American Quilters Bring Art and History to Our Community. Opening Events and Reception: September 12th at Blakely Hall, 1pm-9pm
“I AM” Pacific NW African American Quilters Association Opening Reception and Activities: September 12 • 1-4pm Quilting demonstrations, - Art Unveilings • Issaquah Highlands Youth Ceramic Quilt • Community Digital Quilt Project from Highlands Day • 4-5pm Lecture by noted author and artist, Gwen Maxwell-Williams • 6-9pm Artists’ Reception, Complementary appetizers, libations and music • 6:30pm Curator opening remarks and artist talks Exhibition on Display: September 12 - November 19 Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm
Blakely Hall
Pacific Northwest African-American Quilters bring their art and share their expertise in Issaquah Highlands!
Issaquah Highlands Council, artEAST and 4Culture are excited to bring to our community an art exhibit and programming from the Pacific Northwest African-American Quilters (PNWAAQ). These artists bring not only an important art form but also perspectives of African-American history. The PNWAAQ was established in 1997 by five African American women who found that they shared not only common traits of heritage, but a passion for quilting. Their art represents a heritage as old as the hills - the earliest quilt is said to have been discovered in a Scythian chieftain’s tomb somewhere between Mongolia and Siberia circa 100 B.C. to A.D. 2000. Europeans picked up the craft starting around 1359. American quilt-making did not take off until the 1800s when women gathered at quilting bees and worked from patterns such as “Log Cabin” and “Wagon Wheel”, reflecting the era’s westward mindset. Quilts played an important part in African American history, too. Quilts made by slaves as protection from freezing winter nights also served as signs and signals to guide runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad. PNWAAQ members will display their original art quilts on the theme of “I Am” from September 8th through November 19th at Blakely Hall. Several activities are planned to engage the community: • In early August artEast and the HY (Highlands Youth Advisory Board) hosted an art camp at Blakely Hall where middle and high school students created self-portrait clay tiles. The tiles were assembled into a clay quilt debuting at the Highlands Day Festival and becoming a permanent installation at Blakely Hall. • “I am” Artists’ Reception on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Blakely Hall brings the artists to the community to share their art, passions and history. Free and open to the public • Docent-led tour as a walking field trip for students at the nearby Grand Ridge Elementary are planned. As a group, PNWAAQ presents lectures, showcases its work in galleries and creates quilts for selected community organizations. Exhibits have been presented by the Tacoma Art Museum, the Northwest African American Museum, the LaConner Quilt Museum, and many other local venues. Individual members have had their work published, exhibited in juried shows regionally and nationally, represented by galleries, and included in private collections. Please plan to view the exhibit at Blakely Hall (open Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm) and participate in one of the community events showcasing this important art form and aspect of African-American history. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy and engage with this rich art form right here in Issaquah Highlands.
2550 NE Park Drive, Issaquah 9029 Curated by Gwen Maxwell-Williams and Janice King
•
5