Quilting

We will look into the quintessentially U.S.
American tradition of quilting, looking at
historical examples and particular artists, such
as the AIDS quilt, Gee's Bend, Faith Ringgold,
among others. We will visit the Huntington
Library, Museum and Gardens, particularly to view
the Gee's Bend: Shared Legacy exhibit on display
at the Scott Gallery for American Art, the
traditional 18th century quilts, and the Kehinde
Wiley Blue Boy painting. There will be
creative/critical writing prompts throughout that
engage quilting as visual art, as collective
practice, and as language.

The Huntington visit will take place at the end of
the first week of the winter session. If you take
the course during the second week, you will visit
the Huntington on the first week of winter session
as a first session of the class, so the first week
students and the second week students will have
the group visit together.

A final reflection on the course (2-3 pages),
inviting a writing that engages quilting will be
submitted at the end of the class. This reflection
can be an expansion from one of the writing
prompts engaged with during the class, or
something different. As part of it, students will
respond to at least two pieces or artists of their
choice.