December 9, 2017
The Coleman Center for the Arts hosted Material Memory, a community arts workshop in collaboration with local textile artist Lillie Mack. Community workshops are designed for all skill levels and multiple generations. Attendees represented ages from from 5 to 95 and included friends, parents, sons, daughters, grandparents, cousins, partners, and neighbors.
Participants studied contemporary and regional examples of quilting imagery or techniques. Artist such as Faith Ringgold, El Anatsui, and the Gee’s Bend Quilt Collective were discussed alongside historical examples including geometric Amish and Victorian-era crazy quilts. Participants shared their memories of quilting traditions and experiences before beginning work on the afternoon’s project.
Lillie Mack demonstrated basic textile collage technique including: cut, composition, texture, pattern mixing, and layering. Students of all ages practiced their new skills by designing and constructing fabric ornaments. They worked collaboratively to create larger collages based on shared narratives. The resulting artworks were 11 x 14 wall hangings made of recycled fabrics in the tradition of memory quilts. Like all quilts, each piece represented the makers’ interpretation of concepts and techniques as expressed through diverse textiles.
Many thanks to the Community Foundation of West Alabama, Alabama State Council on the Arts, and Black Belt Community Foundation for continuing support of our education programs.