Something Inspiring

 

I took this photo two weeks ago, during a very nice walk in North Easton, Massachusetts.  These are the days when I feel lucky to live in New England. 

Brand new work: Elephant, Botswana

 

“Elephant” was inspired by a photo of a bull elephant,  captured on film by Chuck Babbitt, in the Savuti Camp, Botswana (used with his permission).  Chuck has generously shared his work with me and allowed me to visit beautiful & exotic locations through his photography.

This quilt will be traveling along with Fiber Revolution to an exhibition in Gaborone, Botswana.  This is the second time the artists from Fiber Rev have teamed up with Kalahari Quilts and the Botswanacraft Gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the original inspiration for this quilt, and other
examples of Chuck Babbitt's photos here: Chuck
Babbitt Photography

Seventh & Final in the Yale/Af-Am series: Friendship

 

The final installment of the 7-quilt Yale Af-Am project is “Friendship & Support”.  This piece illustrates the different fraternities & sororities in the House, professional/career guidance such as Black Graduate Network (BGN), and support organizations like Prism and Students of Mixed Heritage and Culture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quilt 6: Community

The second is “Community”, representing the House’s dedication to social issues, inside and outside the University campus.  Some of these resident groups include Visions of Virtue, Black Church at Yale and Campus against Racial Violence.

 

 

Quilt 5: The Arts

These next three compositions celebrate the different resident groups that have a home at the Afro-American Cultural Center.  The first one is entitled “The Arts”, representing creative pursuits: music, dance, choir and literature. 

Some of the groups represented here are The Yale Gospel Choir, Heritage Theatre Ensemble, Sphere Magazine and Nzinga Dancers.

 

 

Quilt 4: Anniversary

The fourth chronological quilt represents only the year 2009, marking the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the House.

(see image, upper left)

A quote by Kurt Schmoke (class of 1971) in the upper section reads “You are older than we are, and more experienced.  We want guidance from you, moral leadership.  On behalf of my fellow students, I beg you to give it to us.”  Kurt said these words to school administrators nearly 30 years ago, but students today want the same things from their role models.

 

 

You may notice a lot of “empty” space in this quilt.  This was intentionally done in order to offer a special opportunity to alumni.  The blank areas are quilted using a coordinating colored thread.  Organizers of the event asked me if there was a way for students and alumni to be part of the timeline in some way.  We worked out an idea for people to sign the last quilt with permanent marking pens.  During Alumni Weekend, students and alumni will sign the quilt and write personal messages or quotes right onto the fabric.

 

It’s definitely a first for me, to encouraging people to take a Sharpie marker to my artwork!  But in the end it will be a keepsake for the House and a nice way to mark this special anniversary.  Hopefully I will be able to get a photo of this panel after it has been signed.

 

The left sections list House Directors, and the phrase “Beneficiaries to Benefactors”.   Graduates are encouraged to give back to the community and to upcoming students. 

(Detail image: close up on one of the graduates)

 

 

 

(Detail image, lower left:  Two African masks, the de facto House Logo.  This image, drawn here with quilt stitching, is prevalent on the House’s website and on many event programs, flyers, etc.).

 

Quilt #3 - “A Larger Community”

Third installment, Quilt 3: “Forming a Larger Community”

This period in AFAM's history was marked by the increasing opposition to Apartheid and a new focus on artistic expression. The largest square depicts the South African flag using silhouettes of people marching in protest.  During this time the House was experiencing a period of increased Social Awareness, Global Identity, Empowerment and inclusion of different ethnicities within the resident groups.  Other important traditions were started during this time as well, such as the Ogilvie, Robinson, DeChabert Leadership Forum – named for 3 of the 4 original founders of the House and Cabaret Weekend – AFAM’s collaboration with Yale’s School of Drama, playwright August Wilson and Director Lloyd Richards.

Next up: the 4th panel in the chronological timeline (Anniversary/ Celebration of Students and Alumni)