Nubian Heritage Quilters Exhibition, Workshops, and Digitization Project

FAIN: PY-234446-16

Montclair Historical Society, Inc. (Montclair, NJ 07042-2133)
Juandamarie Gikandi (Project Director: June 2015 to December 2016)

A collaborative project between the Montclair Historical Society and the Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild to recognize the contributions of African American quilters and to educate members of local quilting guilds, as well as the community in and around Montclair, New Jersey, on the importance of documenting and preserving quilts and quilting traditions. The project comprises three interrelated parts: an exhibition of quilts and interpretations of their historical context; demonstrations of quilting and instructions on quilt preservation; and a digitization event during which the quilts will be photographed. The digital images would be made available on the New Jersey Digital Highway. Primarily highlighting the work of community quilters, the multiple events would integrate exhibition with preservation training and information exchange regarding quilting techniques and traditions.

This joint project of the Montclair Historical Society and the Nubian Heritage Quilters consists of 3 components that work in concert to recognize the contributions of African American quilters, keep the tradition alive through demonstrations and workshops, educate people on preserving their works, and create a digital database of African American quilts. The project includes 1) an exhibition of traditional quilts paired with modern African American interpretations enabling a side-by-side exploration of the historical context for modern quilts; 2) demonstrations and workshops on quilting and quilt techniques that foster the spread of knowledge about African American material culture and quilting in the community; and 3) a digitization event where members of the community will share the provenance of their quilts, have them digitally photographed for their own use as well as for public availability on the New Jersey Digital Highway, and receive materials to protect and preserve them.