Gee’s Bend, Alabama, quilters come to Greenwood

by | Feb 13, 2009

Quilters from Gee’s Bend, AL, an African-American community internationally known for its quilts, are visiting Taproot Theatre next week in conjunction with Taproot’s production of “Gee’s Bend.” Here’s some info from Taproot:

The people of Gee’s Bend have a rich history going back to the days of slavery, when the peninsula was the site of a plantation established by Joseph Gee in the early 19th century. Fast-forwarding nearly two centuries, many residents are descendants of former Gee’s Bend slaves. Throughout the years they became sharecroppers and land-owners and marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. (their mules even pulled his casket after he was assassinated). Their quilts have been sold at Bloomingdale’s and have been exhibited at museums across the country, including shows in the Puget Sound area.

The quilters will participate in post-play discussions at Taproot after the evening performance on Feb. 18 and the matinee show on Feb. 21. Ticketholders to any “Gee’s Bend” performance can attend on a space-available basis, but seating priority goes to ticketholders for those performances. Gee’s Bend runs through Feb. 28. Click here for more info and tickets.
The quilters also will attend the opening reception of “Quilters of Gee’s Bend: Quilts and Etchings” at Greg Kucera Gallery downtown. The gallery show runs Feb. 19 through March 28. Tacoma Art Museum is hosting an afternoon tea with the quilters on Feb. 20 from 3-5 p.m.
You can see a little preview of “Gee’s Bend” on the Seattle Channel.

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