road trip!

We have had a whirlwind of houseguests this October. It's been such a pleasure to offer hospitality to friends and family, both. I had a very short visit this week with a dear friend from our days in Connecticut. On Wednesday afternoon we went up and over the snowy Middlebury Gap to Ferrisburgh and the Rokeby Museum. The museum sits on the homestead of the Robinson family, who were Quaker abolitionists. It is a National Historic Landmark designated for its Underground Railroad history.

The museum is hosting an exhibit curated by Harlem Needle Arts called The Fabric of Emancipation.

These gorgeous garments are the creation of artist Sara Bunn, titled "We Wore More Than Shackles:A Day In The Life of Seneca Village". From the exhibit's brochure...this piece "seeks to fill the void of positive images of Black professionals living during America's antebellum period, and to offset the negative images of down trodden people of color within our historical archives."

In the gallery space surrounding these figures, the work of other textile artists hung on the walls. There were quilts, wall hangings, a series of manipulated tee shirts and stitched poetry. Some of the work was very thought provoking, some was disturbing. How I do love it when fabric speaks truth to power!

This link may take you to more photos of the exhibit. Go check them out!