Abby

I had heard about the quilting woman of Gee's Bend in the mid-2000s while living in Tennesse. Their quilts inpired me to adopt a fiber art practice. Before moving to Paris, I was able to attend their traveling quilt exhibit which made a stop at the Knoxville Museum of Art. After looking at the quilts, a choir of some of the quilters sang in the musem's auditorium. Hearing the women sing was a spiritual experience for me and I burst into tears. Since then, every few years I look online to see what the quilting women of Gee's Bend are up to. About a year ago, I saw that sisters-in-law Loretta and Marlene were hosting a quilting VAWAA in Gee's Bend and without a moment's hesitation, I signed up myself and my sister-in-law, Amy. I wanted to meet the quilters and learn how they designed and sewed their quilts.

I not only learned the unique way of creating a Gee's Bend quilt from Loretta and Marlene, but I also witnessed firsthand the environment which produced these great artists. Observing the way of life of the Gee's Benders was a masterclass in learning about interdependent living. They take care of their neighbors, whether through sharing food, cooking each other food or housing those who are unhoused. Nobody goes without in Gee's Bend because everyone looks out for everyone else. They were the friendliest and most loving people I have met. The real gold lay in listening to the stories Loretta and Marlene told while the four of us sewed. I hope to take back with me into my life at home the slow way of living and creating the Gee's Bender quilters have mastered.