Quilted Stories: American Quilts from the Permanent Collection

In the United States, the history of quilts is a story of a utilitarian object—originally adopted due to the harsh winters in the early colonies—evolving into a refined art form. During the nineteenth century, quilting—the process of joining three layers of fabric to create padded surfaces—became a vehicle for women’s artistic expression, especially at a time when society restricted their lives to the household. Needles, threads, and patches of colorful or ornate fabric became mediums for creating beauty and meaning, while revealing aspects of class, race, and politics.

Around the United States centennial celebrations in 1876, these bed covers were initially collected for their historical significance, often in relation to family histories and the colonial past. Their aesthetic value was reassessed only in the mid-twentieth century. By the 1970s, quilts were considered a form of graphic art: in addition to their history, collectors valued quilts’ visual impact and expert design. The inclusion of quilts in art collections during the twentieth century reflects the reevaluation of what constitutes fine art and led to the recognition of the thousands of women artists who expressed their creativity outside the formally recognized art scene.

Covering almost 180 years of history, this exhibition draws mainly from the Museum’s permanent collection, along with loans from local artists and a commissioned community quilt that celebrates the lives of people in Ithaca today. In the year of the 250th anniversary of the United States, this exhibition may help us remember who we were and who we are today, and how to continue moving forward, holding the strength of memory, artistry, and community with us.

This exhibition was curated by Hugo C. Ikehara-Tsukayama, Harris Family Curator of the Arts of the Americas, and supported in part by an endowment in memory of Elizabeth Miller Francis ’47. Special thanks to Valerie Kane, Andrea Murray, Cathy Klimaszewski, and Brigid Hubberman for their generous collaboration.

A special section of the exhibition is dedicated to an activity exploring quilt color, fabric, and design, appropriate for all ages!