October 19, 2018
The Florence O’Donnell Wasmer Gallery at Ursuline College presents The Storytellers: African American Quilt and Doll Guild, on view from Nov. 16 through Dec. 28, 2018, with a public opening reception Friday, Nov. 16, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
This exhibition features a diverse and delightful selection of handmade quilts and dolls created by members of this Northeast Ohio group. Established in 2006 when Gloria Kellon and Sandra Noble organized the first meeting, The African American Quilt and Doll Guild has grown to 70 members whose works are featured in several exhibitions per year.
“I first became aware of the African American Quilt and Doll Guild of Cleveland in 2008 when Ms. Noble shared her vibrant quilts with the Art Education class she taught at Case Western Reserve University,” said Wasmer Gallery Director Anna Arnold. “The Guild’s spectacular fiber works express the diverse aspects and interpretations of African American culture and the triumphs and struggles of life and history. I am elated for this opportunity to display The Guild’s work where we get to see how they challenge and inspire one another to interpret, experiment and develop their own unique styles.”
In addition to exhibiting works locally, guild members have exhibited their work nationally and internationally, including in South Africa.
In conjunction with the exhibit, first- and second-prize winners of Ursuline's Sew Me a Story high school writing contest will read their works in the gallery on Thursday, November 15, 7:00-8:00pm. Sew me a Story required students to imagine what a quilt that represents their family story might look like and describe that quilt in a thoughtful and creative piece.
The contest was open to all high school students in Cuyahoga County and was made possible by the support of the Cleveland Foundation, through the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, and the Cleveland Public Library. Jurors are:
- Julie Liedtke, manager of the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Orange Branch
- Anna Benedikt, teen librarian at the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Orange Branch
- Jeanne Colleran, PhD, professor of English at John Carroll University
- Adenike Davidson, PhD, professor of English and gender studies at Delaware State University
- Joan Southgate, founder of the nonprofit Restore Cleveland Hope, who served as honorary juror
Wasmer Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12:00-5:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, 1:30-4:30pm; closed Monday. In addition, the gallery will be closed for Thanksgiving, November 21-25, and for Christmas, December 21-26.
Ursuline College is at 2550 Lander Road in Pepper Pike. For more information, contact Arnold at aarnold@ursuline.edu or by phone at 440.646.8121.
