Quilt Activism at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival

Quilters have had a history of activism, stitching their positions on everything from abolition to women's suffrage into their quilts. And among the art quilts and prizewinners at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, contemporary quiltmakers addressed Black Lives Matter, the Occupy movement, Standing Rock, and more.

The Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival opens Thursday, Feb 23, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA, and features over 500 quilts and works of textile art. It is a 4-day event which continues through Sunday, February 26. Hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday 10 am - 4 pm.

The quilter notes, "The images are framed by a pattern, and variations, called Courthouse Steps, to remind us of the importance of voting rights to make a change."

Quiltmaker Carol Murdock writes: In a 1992 speech, former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall stated that: "Democracy cannot flourish amid fear. Liberty cannot bloom amid hate. Justice cannot take root amid rage." On that day he observed that our government and our legal system can open doors and knock down walls, but that the task of building bridges falls to us as Americans. In these times of political change, frustration, and skepticism, we must be even more vigilant. We must nourish tolerance. We need to grow into acceptance. And we need to sprinkle all this with unconditional love. That way we can enjoy our flowers of Freedom as they fill our garden with a happy life for all!"

The Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival is open through Sunday.