Next month, the My American Series will go on display together in one space for the first time - ever. School 33 Art Center in Baltimore is hosting this "reunion" which promises to be a special one in many ways. The exhibition will feature all six completed My American Series quilts from 18 June through 14 August. The exhibition will not only feature the quilts but many never-before-seen photos of the artworks in progress, planning documents including initial mock ups including the venerable Trails Tracks Tarmac quilt design on a napkin, and section by section break downs of each of the quilts.
To commemorate this momentous exhibition, a catalog of the series has been developed with images of the works and text written by Dr. Leslie King-Hammond, Graduate Dean Emeritus from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and Founding Director of MICA's Center for Race and Culture. (Dr. King-Hammond is also part of the duo behind many of Dr. Gaither's signature pieces of jewelry.)
While helping with the Black Watermen of the Chesapeake quilt (BOC), I had the pleasure of seeing 3-4 of the quilts together in one room as Dr. Gaither was simultaneously working on BOC and making small repairs to the other quilts in the series prior to taking them to Connecticut for the first stop on the national tour. They are truly a sight to behold. You don't realize the power of these quilts until you see them paired together. I have seen a few different arrangements and pairings of the quilts and each time I have a different sense of them collectively and individually. I should also mention that when I saw each of the quilts they were not hanging, at least not on a wall. Instead they were draped over tables and furniture which means that I did not have the full experience. This will be the first time even Dr. Gaither has seen them hung on walls together. It will be quite a sight to behold - both the quilts and seeing Dr. Gaither's face the first time she takes the whole thing in. Hopefully I will be around for that moment!The exhibition will kick off on 18 June with an opening reception at School 33 Art Center from 6 p.m.-10:00 p.m. In the words of Dr. Gaither, "We are going to party that night." Come out and join in the fun.
Exhibition Details18 June 2010 - 14 August 2010
School 33 Art Center Gallery One
1427 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Opening Reception
Friday, 18 June 2010
School 33 Art Center
6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
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