The Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild (NHQG) celebrates their 29th Anniversary with the exhibit “Honoring Our Heritage: One Stitch at a Time” at the Montclair History Center’s Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum.
The NHQG has been exhibiting works with the Montclair History Center for over 15 years. This year’s exhibit was not only the first since the 2020 shutdown but also one of the largest to be exhibited at the Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum since exhibitions began. Quilt and artworks celebrate the rich heritage of African American culture and quilting within a space once home to a segregated YWCA for Black woman and girls from 1920-1965.
Every quilt and artwork presented by the NHQG tells a story and showcases unique patchwork, applique, collage and abstract textiles detailing the skill and ability of the Guild. This year’s exhibits features contemporary politics, the legacy and folklore of Black Mermaids, African American Suffragists, an African Village, self-portraits, Mardi Gras Masks, NHQG Pincushions, creations from family photographs and artwork, and a specialty workshop of footstools.
Particular emphasis this year was given to the legacy of Black Mermaid through exhibit works and the recent History at Home zoom presentation with NHQG members sharing their inspiration and technique for their creations. Inspiration for this special exhibit began when artist and curator Torreah “Cookie” Washington put out a call for Black Mermaid artworks nationwide in 2023. Her research into the history of Black mermaids coincided with the new release of The Little Mermaid in 2023 featuring an African American actress which faced objections in the feature film at the time. Two NHQG members heard the call and began their work honoring the folklore and tradition of Black mermaids. Their work was featured alongside many others in the City Gallery exhibit Celebrating Black Mermaids: From Africa to America in 2023 in Charleston, South Carolina. Artworks of the NHQG members highlight the attention to detail and choice of interpretation of Black mermaids in African folklore that inspired them. Historically Black Mermaids have been described as Goddesses, protectors, comforters, encompassing passionate energies. Discussion was also given to Black Mermaids calling the souls of those enslaved who perished along the middle passage back to African or transformation into water creatures. Watch the History at Home presentation here.
The exhibit will be on view on Sundays from 12 to 3 pm through July 14th at 110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ.