Nubian Heritage quilters guild
Honoring Our Heritage: One Stitch at a Time
The Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild (NHQG) celebrates their 29th Anniversary with a much anticipated quilt exhibit “Honoring Our Heritage: One Stitch at a Time” at the Montclair History Center’s Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum.
NHQG was established to document and preserve the rich heritage of African American quilting. Since its founding in 1995, the Guild has provided quilters in our community with a forum for sharing ideas, encouraged and revitalized their knowledge of the craft. The Guild restored a sense of African American history and culture through its distinctive quilting traditions. Over the years, the Guild has provided quilters of different generations with a forum in which learning from the past is connected to the task of building for the future. Above all, the Guild is committed to preserving the tradition of African American quilting by passing it from generation to generation. For additional information, please visit the website http://www.nubianquilters.org
A Converation with the Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild’s Founders
NHGQ co-founders Glendora Simonson and Carolyn Davis sat down with communications intern Claire Labady to talk about the Guild’s history, their inspirations, and quilting techniques.
Quilts & Wall Hangings on Display in the Exhibit
In addition to a variety of a quilting styles, NHQG will present quilts and wall hangings that showcase patchwork, applique, collage and abstract textiles. Additional special exhibits include. Legacy of Black Mermaids, African American Suffragists, African Gala, Mardi Gras Masks, NHQG Retreat, Unique Pincushions, African Village. In lieu of regular tour admission prices, suggested donations of $5 per visitor will be honored. The exhibit will remain on view every Sunday through July 14th from 12 to 3 pm. At Crane House & Historic YWCA, 110 Orange Road, Montclair.
Watch the History at Home presentation: Legacy of Black Mermaids
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.