JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —July 12, 2024 — The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens announced today that Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories, a dynamic exploration of three hundred years of quiltmaking, opened on July 9, 2024, and will run through September 29, 2024.
Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories, a nationally touring exhibition organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), features 44 remarkable textiles and other works of art created by a variety of makers and dating from the 17th century to the present day, revealing a rich story of the nation’s collective history. The makers of these remarkable textiles showcase the diversity of America representing male, female, known and unidentified artists, urban and rural makers, immigrants, and Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian and LGBTQ+ communities. The exhibition also explores how the quilt, which is often thought of as a timeless, quintessentially “American” art form, has in fact, continuously evolved. From traditional patterns to colorful, abstract contemporary designs, like Virginia Jacobs’ massive seven-foot-diameter spherical quilted form, Fabric of a Nation has something for textile and art enthusiasts alike.
Quilts and woven bedcovers were once prized for both their warmth and artistry. These private objects began to be publicly displayed in fairs during the mid-19th century, and some makers began to see themselves as textile artists. Today’s quilters are pushing historic boundaries by incorporating new techniques, materials, and imagery. Fabric of a Nation invites viewers to explore the objects themselves while also learning the stories of their makers.
“Fabric of a Nation presents the spectrum of our uniquely American story through the handwork of those who have lived it since the founding of our nation,” said Andrea Barnwell Brownlee, Ph.D., George W. and Kathleen I. Gibbs Director and CEO of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. “We are honored to host this special exhibition featuring a collection of textile masterpieces by an extraordinary variety of makers that reveal a rich—and richly complicated—story of the nation’s shared history.”
“Fabric of a Nation encourages us to widen our perspectives and reconsider longstanding notions of what constitutes American art and the American experience,” said Jennifer Swope, David and Roberta Logie Curator of Textiles at the MFA. “With this exhibition, we invite visitors to consider not only the objects themselves, but also the stories of their makers and the narratives—often left untold for too long—that they wish for us to remember.”
The Cummer Museum has organized a slate of dynamic exhibition-related programs that invite visitors to explore Fabric of a Nation in new and exciting ways. Visit cummermuseum.org for more information.
2024 Cummer Museum of Arts & Gardens Exhibition Presenters include: Season Presenters – City of Jacksonville, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, and Ronald and Karen Rettner; Presenting Sponsor – State of Florida; Lead Sponsors – The Robert D. Davis Family Endowment and The Schultz Family Endowment; and Celebrated Sponsors – the Director’s Circle Donors at the Cummer Museum.
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About the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens:
For more than 60 years, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has been committed to engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens, and education. A permanent collection of more than 5,000 objects and historically significant gardens on a riverfront campus offers nearly 140,000 visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast each year. Nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities. The Museum is committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are woven into the fabric of its exhibitions, programs, and offerings. For further information, including hours, visit www.cummermuseum.org.
About the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
This exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), where art inspires connections. Showcasing ancient artistry and contemporary masterpieces, the Museum’s collection of nearly 500,000 works tells a multifaceted story of the human experience that holds unique meaning for everyone. For more than 50 years, the MFA’s traveling exhibition program has partnered with museums and cultural institutions across the globe to share artworks and scholarship. We invite you to experience the MFA in Boston, online at mfa.org and around the world.
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