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My Side of the Story - Part I - Quilt Competition Artists

Public Art Experience		1
April 2 - June 2 2026		1
Creative District Thomasville, GA		1
In the Spring of 2026, Thomasville Center for the Arts will launch “My Side of the Story” with multiple public art activations during the Center’s Due South Music, Food, & Art Festival and continue through the 105th Rose Show and Festival.		2
This experience promotes Southern quilting and showcases makers and artists across the South, providing them with a platform to showcase their artistic talents.		2
From April 2 to June 2, 2026, the community can view and experience these public art installations in Downtown Thomasville.		2
This column highlights the storytellers, historians, artists, and quilters involved in this public art experience. Alongside the narrative quilt competition, the project includes a community “Airing of the Quilts,” featuring quilt flags made from quilts created by Thomasville residents and groups. The stories behind these quilts are as powerful as the artwork itself.		2
This week’s feature: The Thomasville History Center quilts.		2
At the Thomasville History Center, quilts are preserved not simply as handcrafted textiles, but as historic artifacts that document the lives, traditions, and stories of the people of Thomas County. They are treated as part of the History Center’s broader collections, and reflect family histories, community connections, and the craftsmanship of past generations. Visit our online flipbook at online.flippingbook.com/view/109864508/		2
Through public art, Thomasville Center for the Arts continues its mission to make lives brighter through the arts.		2
THOMASVILLE HISTORY CENTER QUILTS		3
Cheatham Family Quilt - 1920		4
Copeland Family Quilt - 1887		5
Julia Ann Johnson Mitchell Quilt - 1849		6
Dickey Family | Birdsong Plantation Baltimore Album Quilt - 1861		7
Ione Community School Quilt - 1930		8
Knapp Family Quilt - 1852		9
Lenora Johnson Quilt - 1920		10
Mary Sellers Harrell Quilt - 1885		11
Rebekah Lodge #20 Quilt - 1951		12
Mary Taylor Sheldon Quilt - 1888		13
Marjorie Wahl Air Corps Militaria Quilt - 1945		14
Marjorie Wahl Armed Forces Militaria Quilt - 1945		15
Marjorie Wahl Navy Militaria Quilt - 1945		16
Rhea Granger Quilt Square - 1928		17
Sara Davis Peters Crazy Quilt - 1885		18
In the Spring of 2026, Thomasville Center for the Arts will launch “My Side of the Story” with multiple public art activations during the Center’s Due South Music, Food, & Art Festival and continue through the 105th Rose Show and Festival.		19
This experience promotes Southern quilting and showcases makers and artists across the South, providing them with a platform to showcase their artistic talents. From April 2 to June 2, 2026, the community can view and experience these public art installations in Downtown Thomasville.		19
This column highlights the storytellers, historians, artists, and quilters involved in this public art experience. Alongside the narrative quilt competition, the project includes a community “Airing of the Quilts,” featuring quilt flags made from quilts created by Thomasville residents and groups. The stories behind these quilts are as powerful as the artwork itself.		19
This week’s feature: Jack Hadley Black History Museum Quilts		19
Thomasville’s First Black History Museum is established to educate individuals about the history and culture of African Americans locally and nationally. One African-American historian, James “Jack” Hadley has preserved over 4,669 pieces of African American artifacts. The museum quilts are just a small part of this amazing collection. Visit our online flipbook at online.flippingbook.com/view/109864508/		19
Through public art, Thomasville Center for the Arts continues its mission to make lives brighter through the arts.		19
JACK HADLEY BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM QUILTS		20
Caldwell Family Quilt - 20th Century		21
Handmade Checkerboard Quilt made by Sarah Harvin Caldwell in the early 1900's. This quilt was passed down to her daughter Grace Henrietta Caldwell and was donated to the museum.		21
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		21
Douglass Elementary School Quilt		22
This handmade quilt was created to honor the students of Douglass Elementary School. After integration in 1970, Douglass served first as a middle school and later as an elementary school for the city of Thomasville until its closure in the early 2000s. The quilt features student-designed quilt squares from the final fifth-grade class, representing their last year at Douglass.		22
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		22
Threads of Unity and Community Hadley Museum Quilt		23
This handmade quilt is a collaborative community piece featuring logos from local organizations, businesses, and institutions. It also includes quilt squares designed by local high school students, representing important staples of the community. The quilt was created in 2023 for the Hadley Museum’s 5th Annual Gala.		23
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		23
Payne Family Quilt “Slave Quilt”		24
Handmade “Slave Quilt,” donated by Tara Payne Okon, granddaughter of former Thomasville Mayor Camille L. Payne. According to oral history, the quilt was created by an enslaved person in the 1800s and later used as payment for a grocery bill at the Payne family store in the early 1900s. .		24
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		24
Spearman Family Quilt - 20th Century		25
Handmade Checkerboard Quilt made by Fleeta Spearman in the mid-20th century. This quilt was donated to the museum by her granddaughters, Juanita Davis and Mary Thompson.		25
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		25
Studstill Family Quilt - 20th Century		26
This handmade Tack Quilt was made by Ruby Studstill, grandmother of former Thomasville Mayor David Lewis. This quilt was a gift to Annie Grace Scott and was later donated to the museum.		26
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		26
Williams Family.1 Quilt - 20th Century		27
Handmade Block Quilt from the estate of Earnest Castaloe “E.C.” Williams and Eula Davis “E.D.” Williams. Earnest served as the Douglass High School Football and Basketball coach from 1942 until 1961. Eula served as an educator for the Thomasville City School System for more than 30 years.		27
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		27
Williams Family.2 Quilt - 20th Century		28
Handmade Block Quilt from the estate of Earnest Castaloe “E.C.” Williams and Eula Davis “E.D.” Williams. Earnest served as the Douglass High School Football and Basketball coach from 1942 until 1961. Eula served as an educator for the Thomasville City School System for more than 30 years.		28
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		28
Williams Family.3 Quilt - 20th Century		29
Handmade Stair Step Quilt from the estate of Earnest Castaloe “E.C.” Williams and Eula Davis “E.D.” Williams. Earnest served as the Douglass High School Football and Basketball coach from 1942 until 1961. Eula served as an educator for the Thomasville City School System for more than 30 years.		29
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		29
Williams Family.4 Quilt - 20th Century		30
Handmade Checkerboard Quilt from the estate of Earnest Castaloe “E.C.” Williams and Eula Davis “E.D.” Williams. Earnest served as the Douglass High School Football and Basketball coach from 1942 until 1961. Eula served as an educator for the Thomasville City School System for more than 30 years.		30
Courtesy of the Jack Hadley Black History Museum		30
In the Spring of 2026, Thomasville Center for the Arts will launch “My Side of the Story” with multiple public art activations during the Center’s Due South Music, Food, & Art Festival and continue through the 105th Rose Show and Festival.		31
This experience promotes Southern quilting and showcases makers and artists across the South, providing them with a platform to showcase their artistic talents. From April 2 to June 2, 2026, the community can view and experience these public art installations in Downtown Thomasville.		31
Alongside a narrative quilt competition, the project includes a community “Airing of the Quilts,” featuring quilt flags made from quilts created by Thomasville residents and groups. The stories behind these quilts are as powerful as the artwork.		31
This Week’s Feature: 6 Quilts from The Cotton Pickin’ Quilters		31
The Cotton Pickin’ Quilter group is a local collective of fiber artists who meet regularly to sew, share skills, and make comfort quilts donated to Thomasville-area organizations. They gather for biweekly “Sit & Sew” sessions and teach quarterly, project-based sewing classes at the Thomasville Center for the Arts.		31
Through public art, Thomasville Center for the Arts continues its mission to make lives brighter through the arts.		31
COTTON PICKIN’ QUILTERS		32
Fiber Artist, Darlene Cook		33
Fiber Artist, Dovie Ross		34
Fiber Artist, Jan Perez		35
Fiber Artist, Mary Ann Meeks		36
Repaired By Fiber Artist, Debra Loftin Quilt Artist Unknown		37
Fiber Artist, Ruth Ann Maxwell		38
In the Spring of 2026, Thomasville Center for the Arts will launch “My Side of the Story” with multiple public art activations during the Center’s Due South Music, Food, & Art Festival and continue through the 105th Rose Show and Festival.		39
This experience promotes Southern quilting and showcases makers and artists across the South, providing them with a platform to showcase their artistic talents.		39
From April 2 to June 2, 2026, the community can view and experience these public art installations in Downtown Thomasville.		39
This column highlights the storytellers, historians, artists, and quilters involved in this public art experience. Alongside the narrative quilt competition, the project includes a community “Airing of the Quilts,” featuring quilt flags created from the quilts of Thomasville residents and groups. The stories behind these quilts are as powerful as the artwork itself.		39
This week’s feature: 6 Quilts from The Sewing Seed of Kindness Quilters		39
This Eastside Baptist Church group officially started when they decided to make quilts for “Quilts of Valor”. They did this from 2013 to 2020, donating more than 400 quilts to veterans of war. After COVID, their mission changed to making quilts for the foster children in Thomasville. To date, this group has donated over 135 small, medium, and large quilts to the DFACS director, Samantha Rutherford.		39
Through public art, Thomasville Center for the Arts continues its mission to make lives brighter through the arts.		39
SEWING SEEDS OF KINDNESS QUILTERS		40
Fiber Artist, Myrtie Hucks		41
Fiber Artist, Mary Bone		42
Fiber Artist, Delorise Asbell		43
Fiber Artist, Nan Bryant		44
Fiber Artist, Phyllis Green		45
Fiber Artist, Janice Smith		46
On April 2, 2026, Thomasville Center for the Arts will launch “My Side of the Story,” featuring multiple public art activations during the Center’s Due South Music, Food, & Art Festival and continuing through the 105th Rose Show and Festival.		47
This experience promotes Southern quilting, makers, and artists across the South, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents. Through June 2, 2026, the community can view and experience these public art installations in Downtown Thomasville.		47
This column highlights the storytellers, historians, artists, and quilters involved in this public art experience. Alongside the narrative quilt competition, the project includes a community “Airing of the Quilts,” featuring quilt flags created from the quilts of Thomasville residents and groups.		47
This week’s feature: The Gee’s Bend Stamp Quilts		47
In August 2006, the USPS issued the Quilts of Gee’s Bend commemorative stamps in a double-sided booklet containing 10 designs. The images depict photographs of quilts crafted by African-American women in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, from around 1940 to 2001. These quilts feature bold, improvisational styles originally created for warmth and daily use. These stamps are part of the American Treasures series, which showcases American fine crafts.		47
Through public art, Thomasville Center for the Arts continues its mission to make lives brighter through the arts.		47
GEE’S BEND STAMP QUILTS		48
Minnie Sue Coleman – Pig in a Pen Medallion		49
Minnie Sue Coleman was born into a Gee’s Bend quilting family and learned the craft young from her mother, Minder Coleman. Her work blends traditional forms with personal improvisation.		49
Ruth P. Mosely Nine Patch		50
One of three quiltmaking daughters of Mary Ann Bendolph Pettway and Tom O. Pettway, Ruth grew up in the Sodom neighborhood of Gee's Bend. Her work is in the permanent collections of the RISD Museum and the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art.		50
Lottie Mooney Housetop Four Block Half Log Cabin		51
Lottie Mooney was an early-generation quilter in Gee’s Bend whose work dates back to at least the 1940s. She represents a bridge between older, utilitarian quilting traditions and the later recognition of these quilts as art.		51
Loretta Pettway (again) Medallion		52
Loretta Pettway Roman Stripes variation		53
Loretta Pettway (born 1942) is an American artist and quilt maker of the Gee's Bend Collective from Boykin, Alabama. Her quilts are known for their bold and improvisational style.		53
Mary Lee Bendolph Housetop variation		54
Mary Lee Bendolph is among the most celebrated quilters from Gee’s Bend. Born and raised in Boykin, she spent her life learning quilt-making from her mother and other relatives. Her work is known for its vibrant color, strong geometric forms, and improvisational designs made from repurposed clothing.		54
Annie Mae Young Blocks and Stripes		55
Annie Mae Young grew up in Gee’s Bend and began quilting in her early teens. Though she did not participate in the Freedom Quilting Bee (preferring her own improvisational style), she became one of the community’s most recognized artists.		55
Jessie T. Pettway Bars and String-Pieced Columns		56
Jessie T. (“Bootnie”) Pettway grew up in the rural quilting culture of Gee’s Bend, where she learned to piece and sew as a child under the guidance of family. Her quilting style reflects the community’s blend of memory, necessity, and abstraction.		56
Patty Ann Williams Medallion with Checkerboard Center		57
Williams' quilts were made to keep her children and grandchildren warm. Instead of concentrating on artistic value, if it was too old to wear, she just tore it up to make quilts. Although most of their quilts were made from repurposed materials, some were made from scraps sold in bulk at a discount in Selma, Alabama.		57
Arlonzia Pettway Chinese Coins variation		58
Arlonzia Pettway learned quilting as a youth and maintained the tradition throughout her life. She also worked and farmed in the Pettway family community. Her quilts reflect both functional warmth and expressive patterns drawn from materials at hand.		58
In the Spring of 2026, Thomasville Center for the Arts will launch “My Side of the Story” with multiple public art activations during the Center’s Due South Music, Food, & Art Festival and continue through the 105th Rose Show and Festival.		62
This experience promotes Southern quilting and showcases makers and artists residing throughout the South, while providing them with a platform to display their artistic talents. From April 2 to June 2, 2026, the community can view and experience these public art installations in Downtown Thomasville.		62
This column highlights the storytellers, historians, artists, and quilters involved in this public art experience. Alongside the narrative quilt competition, the project includes a community “Airing of the Quilts,” featuring quilt flags created from the quilts of Thomasville residents and groups. The stories behind these quilts are as powerful as the artwork itself.		62
This week’s feature: The Southern Narrative Quilt Pioneers		62
The Southern narrative quilt pioneers transformed fabric into powerful storytelling media, blending artistry with lived history. In the rural South—especially in communities such as Gee's Bend—quilters developed bold visual languages that drew from African American traditions, memory, and daily life.		62
Through public art, Thomasville Center for the Arts continues its mission to make lives brighter through the arts.		62
MEET THE SOUTHERN NARRATIVE QUILT PIONEERS		63
FAITH RINGGOLD		64
HARRIET TUBMAN		65
HARRIET POWERS		66
MARTHA ANN RICKS		67
ARLONZIA PETTWAY		68
ROSIE LEE TOMPKINS		69
MARY LEE BENDOLPH		70
YVONNE WELLS		71
In the Spring of 2026, Thomasville Center for the Arts will launch “My Side of the Story” with multiple public art activations during the Center’s Due South Music, Food, & Art Festival and continue through the 105th Rose Show and Festival.		72
This experience promotes Southern quilting and showcases makers and artists across the South, while providing them with a platform to showcase their artistic talents. From April 2 to June 2, 2026, the community can view and experience these public art installations in Downtown Thomasville.		72
Alongside the narrative quilt competition, My Side of the Story features an installation in The UnVacant Lot and another at the corner of Jackson and GEN Lloyd J Austin III Way. This week’s feature: The Installation Artists.		72
Through public art, Thomasville Center for the Arts continues its mission to make lives brighter through the arts.		72
MEET THE INSTALLATION ARTISTS		73
Artist, Dr. Marlo Ransdell		74
Artist, Missionary Mary Proctor		75
Artist, David Junker		76

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