(January 20, 2023)
To coincide with the annual observance of African American History Month, the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures will unveil new content in the African American Texans exhibit including the display of new quilts that highlight the “Fabric of a People” and the exhibition of a new student-produced oral history project entitled “You Take it from Here.”
The ITC has built connections with the African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio (AAQCSA). As part of the revitalization of the African American gallery, the AAQCSA has created a brand new piece, entitled “The Fabric of a People,” telling some of Texas’ forgotten histories. The new quilt exhibit will open on February 10, and remain part of the permanent exhibit. View it and other story quilts in person and learn more about the heritage of quilting for Black Americans.
Equally as engaging, “You Take It From Here,” features three families discussing their connection to San Antonio's East Side. The videos document high school students interviewing their parents' experiences and thoughts ranging from neighborhood changes and the effect of the Civil Rights on their lives. This project is a collaboration between ITC and staff from SAISD's Advanced Learning Academy and CAST Tech schools.
“This museum is about the people of Texas, and it’s important we engage groups like the African American Quilt Circle and the students of the Advanced Learning Academy to gain perspectives from everyday people, living everyday lives,” said Veronica Rodriguez, interim head curator. “Where other museums might tell the stories of heroes and events that shaped Texas, our job is to tell the stories of people who perpetuate our customs and traditions – the people who’ve defined our way of living and life in Texas.”
The ITC will host a series of workshops featuring the African American Quilt Circle and welcomes the public and the UTSA community to join in our observance of African American History Month:
Quilt in a Jar Workshop
Jan. 22, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Institute of Texan Cultures
Free admission | 20 seats available.
Attendees will learn basic sewing and quilting skills.
The Fabric of a People: Black American Quilting in Texas, and You Take It from Here oral history video project
Feb. 10: Exhibit opening
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
Viewable during ITC regular hours
Read more about Fabric of a People
Read more about You Take It From Here
Threading History: An Artist's Reflection on Textile Art with taylor barnes
Feb. 17, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Texan fiber artist taylor barnes will share her experiences: where she was introduced to the personal and oral histories that influenced her artistic practice, the processes behind choosing her materials, techniques and subject matter, and the significance of quilting and textile art in Black American history. A brief question-and-answer period will follow.
Quilt in a Jar Workshop
Feb. 19, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
Free admission | 20 seats available
Presented by the African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio, attendees will learn basic sewing and quilting skills.
Pop Up Studio Hour with AAQCSA
Feb. 21, noon – 1 p.m.
UTSA Main Campus, JPL GroupSpot B
Members of the African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio will be at the JPL to discuss their works in the new ITC exhibition, Fabric of a People. Stop by and chat about the heritage of African American story quilts, ask questions about quilting, or even bring your own project to work on! A limited number of starter supply kits will be available for beginners - first come, first served.
“Quilts are incredibly important artifacts of our history and heritage,” said ITC educator Liz Lopez Gutierrez. “Nothing ever went to waste – not even a scrap of cloth. Our ancestors saved all these scraps and sewed them into quilts to ensure they had the warmth to endure winter weather. Story quilts take this patchwork of fabric pieces and delve deeper into our stories and memories.”
Pre-pandemic upgrades to the African American Texans section include a new info-wall dedicated to African American Texans’ military service, an info-wall on textiles and share-cropping, and the sharecropper house virtual experience created for the ITC website.
About the Institute of Texan Cultures
The mission of the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures is to give voice to the experiences of people from across the globe that call Texas home, providing insight into our past, present and future.
About the African American Quilt Circle
The African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio is a 501c3 non-profit and was founded in August 2017 by four quilters with a primary goal of fostering a quilting community, sharing the heritage of quilting & promotion.