These 35 pieces of textile art not only follow in the careful and skillfully sewn traditions of generations of utilitarian quilters past, but also have been sewn to tell a story — to document a celebration of freedom, friendship and familiarity. Courville says Phillipe Gustin of the International Center and Christine Duhon Brosky, an avid quilter and grass-roots curator, came together to bring their vision of a unique exhibition featuring the work of quilters from Louisiana and various other cities around the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette, or for his battle sites, or places where he had been imprisoned, as his sacrifice for the concept of liberty. The themes and sewn works of art create a sense of the historical, if not mythical figures, but also an overwhelming sense of place, whether that place be Lafayette, LaGrange, Texas, or Paris. Memories of great-grandmothers stitching together fragments of cloth aside, these contemporary works of art are remarkable for skillfully and delicately pieced together compositions — an assemblage of cloth and concept. Christine Duhon Brosky says she was excited the celebration committee felt the concept was important enough to be part of the Marquis celebration, not everyone thinks of quilts as art. Quilters Sherry Herringshaw, Judy Holley, Barbette Tohline, Chris Wrobel and Michael Young not only commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, but depicted an amazing degree of detail, including within the quilted map of the original territory, images of wildlife, native peoples and the varying landscapes. read more

Tags: celebration, quilting patterns, brosky, art, louisiana, exhibition