Digital description panels for the exhibition.
HEART
HOME
HERITAGE
A Celebration of Creativity and Community:
THE STORY OF HOME HEART HERITAGE
In 2018 Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center located in Hendersonville, TN, set out to find projects that would have a positive community impact. The Center’s newly minted Black history exhibition seemed like a logical place to start. We devised a plan to hold art workshops focusing on the contributions of outstanding Black Americans and the decision was made to use quilts as the project’s blank canvas. Black Americans have played an integral role in the prosperity of our country, contributing to our culture, economics, and social advancement. Through their labor and innovation, they have shaped industries and movements that helped define the nation. Obviously, a single quilt could never summarize such a long and rich history of accomplishment. So, a five-year, five-quilt project was born. At first, it seemed natural that such a creative endeavor should center around the visual arts, music and literature. Our enthusiastic community participants, however, encouraged us to expand the scope of the project to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of prominent Black women, scientists, physicians and military service members as well. We needed a title and eventually settled on Home, Heart, Heritage. It seemed to perfectly convey our message of community and inclusivity.
The idea clearly resonated with our friends and neighbors, since people of all ages and ethnicities poured their hearts into these quilts. All told, nearly 400 people stepped forward over the course of five years to create art and pay homage to our shared history. Youngsters from such local education nonprofits as Children Are People, Cottage Cove Urban Ministries and Gallatin Shalom Zone were among our most creative and enthusiastic participants. Similarly, families throughout the region found joy creating portraits of Harriet Tubman, Maya Angelou, Colin Powell and other revered African American figures. We should note that Home, Heart, Heritage benefited greatly from the talents of Eugene and Susan Greer, a Hendersonville couple with considerable experience in the art of quilting. It was Susan’s idea to explore quilt patterns associated with the Underground Railroad, providing the project with one of its most compelling themes. Susan died unexpectedly of cancer in 2022, but her legacy lives on through these beautiful quilts and our new Susan Greer Fabric Circle. This project has been an incredible journey. We all had fun together, gained knowledge, and shared fascinating stories. Most importantly, we accomplished the project’s main goal, which was to lift each other up.
TENNESSEE ROOTS (2018)
This original quilt highlights famous African American from all walks of life. There are musicians, athletes, politicians, and performers, among others. The quilting around each figure adds emphasis to their contributions. Music notes for performers, trees for people with strong characters, brick walls for very determined individuals. Around the edge of the quilt there are stylized birds at the top to reflect on the large bird population across the State. Around the other tree edges is the Tennessee River with its many dams and locks. The river ends with a river boat in Memphis.
For Preservation Purposes, Please Do Not Touch the Quilts
HEART
HOME
HERITAGE
AUTHORS, WRITERS AND POETS (2019)
For the second year of the quilt project, the MACC honored Black American poets, writers and authors, including Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin and Alice Walker. These writers have impacted generations and helped shape America as we know it today. Using wood blocks, our participants learned about printmaking and how to make a print on both paper and fabric. At the end of the workshop, participants made a print on fabric of a featured individual to be included on the quilt. The quilt design also pays tribute to the long history of the written and printed word. These include depictions of quilted papayas plants, scrolls, tablets, and the Gutenberg press. There are also reading tables, reading lamps, libraries, and bookshelves, along with references to personal computers and the Internet. These technologies are quilted into the front of the quilt. Around the edge are features that have been converted to quill pens.
HEART
HOME
HERITAGE
UNDERTONES: BLACK WOMEN RISE QUILT (2020)
For the third quilt, the MACC honored Black women who rose above their cultural status to become widely admired figures making positive contributions to their communities. Individuals highlighted include Ella Baker, Shirley Chisholm, Sojourner Truth and Michelle Obama. Participants who worked on this quilt started by breaking down the faces into a variety of different shapes based on varying facial tones. While assembling the cut pieces of fabric, the students were encouraged to focus on the size and placement of the shapes while paying attention to both the negative and positive space. This quilt was constructed with blocks of blue fabric and decorated with stars. The celebrated faces were constructed with various fabrics to simulate the features of each woman. With so much blue, the patterns
flowed naturally to form a starry sky.
SCIENCE, MEDICINE, AND TECHNOLOGY QUILT (2021)
The fourth quilt featured Black individuals who became leaders in their fields of science, medicine and technology. These important professionals included Garrett Morgan, Dr. Alexa Canady and George Washington Carver. Participants who worked on this quilt learned the background information of these individuals with
expertise in a variety of different subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, physics and engineering. Next, they picked out symbols and shapes that best visually communicated the person
they read about like beakers, caduceuses, planets, calculators and more. Finally, they cut the shapes out of fabric and used iron-on fabric adhesive to assemble the shapes. Quilted alongside each portrait is a depiction of a specific scientific contribution. The border quilting consists of trees to represent strength of character and accomplishment. There are a couple of large, quilted circles to represent the iterative process in creating new scientific and mathematical breakthroughs.
HEART
HOME
HERITAGE
AMERICA’S ARMED SERVICE MEMBERS: LEGACY OF PATRIOTISM AND VALOR QUILT (2022)
The fifth and final quilt is dedicated to Black Americans who served in the armed forces. Honoring individuals like Colin Powell, Henry Ossian Flipper and Charity Adams Earley, this quilt also honors groups such as the Harlem Hell fighters, the Tuskegee Airmen, the 688th Central Post Battalion and the Buffalo Soldiers. In our workshops, participants learned about their contributions to the armed forces and decorated patriotic stars and uniforms with paint and markers.
The quilting on the front was largely designed to lock down the various figures and stars. In open spaces a flowing design was selected to add motion to the quilt.
HEART
HOME
HERITAGE
LEGACY OF PATRIOTISM (2022) - BACK
The conceptual side of this image, which we see on the reverse side of our “Legacy of Patriotism and Valor” quilt, signifies the absurdity of American law and its effect on citizens, visitors and immigrants in this country. Sentencing and enforcement of our laws often seem arbitrary. A crime committed in one jurisdiction may receive a harsher penalty than the same crime committed in another. The exact wording of the law often provides limited guidance because of the inherent ambiguity of the English language. Is it any wonder that English is the hardest language to learn? So many words have the same sound but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Skin color is without question a contributing factor in sentencing and enforcement. The strained relationship between police and African American males is grounded in that tragic reality. The black figure wrapped in the flag represents all of the mysteries, ambiguities and contradictions that flow from our U.S. Constitution. The lines in the background suggest prison bars. The image seen on this quilt depicts the flag-draped figure as viewed from the back. The vibrant colors of the flag contrast with the muted tones of the figure's skin, set against a background of blue and green hues, which add depth and texture to the piece. This composition successfully evokes a sense of introspection and identity, perhaps reflecting themes of patriotism and individuality. The choice of colors is striking; the bold red, white, and blue of the flag draw the viewer's attention while the serene background provides a calming balance. The way the flag wraps around the figure suggests protection or concealment, inviting contemplation about the relationship between personal and national identity. The blending of the background colors creates a dynamic texture that complements the smooth depiction of the flag. The use of light and shadow on the figure enhances the three-dimensional effect and adds realism to the depiction. Overall, this artwork is a compelling fusion of color and theme, successfully engaging viewers on a thoughtful level. Celebrate these strengths and continue to explore the multifaceted dialogue between imagery and meaning. Remember, art is a journey, and each piece is a step forward.
SCIENCE, MEDICINE, AND TECHNOLOGY QUILT (2021)
The back of this quilt has six quilt blocks purportedly used during the Civil War as part of the Underground Railroad. The blocks represent the Conductor’s Home, Bow Ties, Shoofly, Birds in the Sky, Crossroads, and Ship North.
UNDERTONES: BLACK WOMEN RISE QUILT (2020)
The back of this quilt is an actual painting on canvas of hearts. This was to express the love and appreciation for the women on the front. The painting was done by Nashvillian Alyssa Peacock Leonard.
AUTHORS, WRITERS AND POETS (2019) The back on this quilt has Underground Railroad blocks from the Civil War era. These blocks are: Monkey Wrench Basket
Log Cabin Bear’s Paw Drunkard’s Path Northern Star
HEART
HOME
HERITAGE
TENNESSEE ROOTS (2018)
The back of this quilt is the state flag of Tennessee on top and Tennessee fabric on the bottom. Paying homage to the rich history of Tennessee.
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