Piece Work, An Exhibition of Contemporary Gee's Bend Quilts

The Oliver Art Center presents Piece Work: An Exhibition of Contemporary Gee’s Bend Quilts, in its Fisher Room Gallery in observation of Black History Month. The unique handstitched quilts are from a collection on loan from area resident Patricia Reich, who inherited them from her mother Jan Dolland, who was an advocate for the Quilters of Gee’s Bend in Boykin, Alabama. Dolland traveled around the country giving presentations about this group of women and delivered over two tons of fabric to them to help them make their quilts.

Quilts on display at the Oliver Art Center were created by celebrated makers; Mary Lee Bendolph, Ruth Kennedy, Lucy Mingo, Arlonzia Pettway, China Pettway, Loretta Pettway, and Stella Pettway. The quilts were commissioned or purchased by Jan Dolland during the 1970s through the early 2000s. 

The exhibit will include quilts, wall hangings, photos and a scrapbook created by Jan Dolland that traces her experience working with and advocating for the women of Gee’s Bend. The exhibit is free to the public and runs from February 14th through March 22nd.

The Oliver Art Center is located at 132 Coast Guard Rd. in Frankfort, MI. Admission to the Oliver Art Center is free - visit the OAC’s website at www.oliverart.org for more information or phone 231-352-4151. The Oliver Art Center is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and is open to the public Tues.-Sat. 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm.