Relics & Roots: Gee’s Bend Yard Show
Renowned Gee’s Bend quilts get some air at new show.
Gee’s Bend quilts are famously known as fabric art that pieces together textile scraps and clothing into abstract designs. Now a collective of multiple generations of quilters who learned the craft from their parents and community members, the Gee’s Bend quilting tradition was initially developed centuries ago in and near the rural Alabama community of Gee’s Bend.
Quiltmakers began creating these pieces in the 19th century for warmth, but as generations survived slavery and the Jim Crow South, their quilts developed a signature artistic style that later became items for sale during the Civil Rights movement through the Freedom Quilting Bee. Since then, Gee’s Bend quilts have gained recognition as acclaimed artistic works, coveted by collectors and held in prestigious museum collections.
The rich history of this famed quilter’s community will be on view at the first Gee’s Bend Spring Yard Show. The event will take place along County Road 29 in the Wilcox County community of Boykin from 10 am–3 pm on April 25. This open-air show is organized by the community-led marketing initiative Visit Gee’s Bend, which creates sustainable tourism opportunities in Gee’s Bend.
“Through Visit Gee’s Bend, we’re building something that allows visitors to experience our culture in a way that benefits the people who live here,” explains Advisory Board member Gloria Carey. “The Yard Show is a beautiful example of that in action.”
Unlike a typical museum exhibition, this yard show aims to offer a more relaxed, personal look at quilts and handiwork crafted by the area’s internationally known community, with many examples traditionally hung on clotheslines. “Hanging quilts on the line brings back the good old days,” says Gee’s Bend quilter Mary Margaret Pettway. “It’s a sign of spring—a time of renewal, and a chance to give new life to the quilts.”
Those in attendance can view the displays while speaking with the quilters who connect their personal stories with their art. “The Gee’s Bend quilters are internationally renowned for their unique artistry, and the Spring Yard Show gives everyone a chance to get up close and personal with these amazing quilters,” says Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association Pam Swanner, whose organization is supporting the event.
Some quilts and handiwork on display will be available for purchase, including Pettway’s navy blue and black, graphic-patterned polyester and cotton Island quilt, priced at $1,000. She will be personally selling the piece in front of her home.
A $25 contribution and advanced registration are recommended to attend the Gee’s Bend Spring Yard Show. For more information about the event and Visit Gee’s Bend programming, go to geesbend.org
Do you have an antique or collectible that recalls your family’s history or heritage? Share your story with Kovels Antique Trader! We are looking for personal stories and images of antiques or collectibles that have a connection to genealogy. To submit a story and object, email atnews@aimmedia.com.
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