Connections by Karen S Musgrave: President's House

Showing posts with label President's House. Show all posts

Saturday, July 9, 2011

President's House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts

The catalog for The President's House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts arrived which was exciting. Carolyn Crump did a great job with the design. Michelle Flamer, the curator, accomplished something amazing with this exhibition. If you are visiting Philadelphia before September 1, please check out this incredible exhibition which can be viewed at three different institutions--Independence Visitors Center, National Constitution Center and the African American Museum in Philadelphia. I am particularly proud of my group Las puntadas del alma/Stitches of the Soul. Their quilts can be seen at the Independence Visitors Center. If you go, please send me photos. Finances simply don't allow me to attend.

Carolyn Crump and I was fortunate to have our quilts selected for the press conference back in March. How cool is that? I am so grateful.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Dolores Mercado

Dolores is an artist, a curator at the National Museum of Mexican Art, our museum liaison, and a member of our group. We are all deeply appreciative of all the she does for us. This is her first quilt which is titled "Although it is Probable She will Attempt to Pass for a Free Woman/Aunque es probable que ella intent hacerse pasas por una mujer libre."

The title is part of the runaway advertisement that appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette on Tuesday, May 24, 1796. Unfortunately these words are still prevalent for women to this day.

El título es parte del anuncio que apareció el día martes, 24 de mayo de 1796 en el Pennsylvania Gazette, después de que Oney escapó de la Casa Presidencial. Por desgracia estas palabras todavía están vigentes para muchas mujeres.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Christina Carlos

Christina actually researched the clothing at the time to make sure that her quilt was historically true to the times. Her quilt's title is "Choices/Elecciones." I love watching Christina's process and how her art is evolving as she gains confidence.

"I admire Oney Judge because she made a choice to be free at the sake of being a wanted fugitive along with living a life of poverty. In society, there are laws that want to be passed to limit a woman’s right to choose in having a family. It is not up to man to decide on a woman’s choice. Women have to live with their own decisions and that is what I believe Oney did."

"Admiro a Oney Judge porque eligió ser libre a costa de ser una fugitiva, y de vivir además en la pobreza. En la sociedad, hay leyes que se quieren aprobar para limitar el derecho de la mujer a elegir si quiere tener familia. No es asunto de los hombre decidir el derecho de las mujeres a elegir. Las mujeres tenemos que saber vivir con nuestras propias decisiones, creo que fue lo que Oney hizo."

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Beatriz Alvarez

While everyone went smaller, Beatriz didn't and for that I am truly proud of her. Beatriz was the first to make a pieced background too. I think Beatriz summed up the project so well when she said, "I have learned about history, increased my vocabulary and feel connected to a women that I never knew existed." Her quilt is called "Courage" and her artist statement is "I had the opportunity through this project to know the history of women with great faith and valor. She had faith and courage to change her life. She reminds me of women from my country that have to leave their country in order to find a better opportunity for their family."

"Con este proyecto tove la oportonidad de aprednder la historia de ona mujer con mucho valor y fe para cambiar so vida y el cual me recuerda a las mujeres de mi pars que lo tienen que dejar para boscar una major oportonidad para so familia."

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Lucy Campos

This is Lucy's very first quilt! It's called "Oney and I." Lucy had never even used a sewing machine. I love the details and that she had the confidence to create something that also included herself in the story. Here is her artist statement.

Creating Oney Judge's quilt motivated me to investigate, appreciate and value her existence as well as her culture. I would also like more appreciation and value to the Mexican culture.

Al crear el quilt de Oney Judge me motivo a investigar apreciar y valorar a ella y a su cultura por lo que taubien me gustaria quw apreciaran valoraran la cultura Mexcicana.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Socorro Carlos

I am so proud of Soco and her newest quilt- "Two Faces of George." This was created for The President's House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts exhibition that will occur in Philadelphia this fall. Soco is growing into a confident artist and it has been my great pleasure to watch this occur and support her on her journey. This quilt is for sale.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Wrestling with Dragons

"Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one," by Stella Adler. It was good this quote came to me when it did because it was a gentle, much needed reminder. It's been a long time since a quilt of mine has evoked such strong feelings and criticism from people. It was so unexpected too because I was so excited about this quilt and the direction that I was going. While I have pretty much beaten (and sometimes, like now, still battle) the dragon of the Fear of Criticism, some of the remarks have been more hurtful than helpful. In the past, this might have caused me to shut down for a while, instead I'm busy creating. It feels good. I've worked hard to be at this place in my life.

In third grade, the teacher required us to share what we wanted to be when we grew up. I remember how excited I was to share my dream. When it came to my turn, I joyfully announced that I actually wanted to do two things and I thought they worked well together. I wanted to be an artist and the person that got to decide the names for the colors of paint. Mrs. Sanders did not share my passion and informed me that the class already had an artist. His name was Guy and in all honestly, he was quite good. Further I had no artistic talent. She didn't even grace my desire to be the namer of paint colors. She told me that I was much more suited to be a mother or a secretary. I don't remember much of the rest of the day. I went to bed early which wasn't my nature and waited patiently for everyone to go to sleep (I shared a room with my two younger sisters) and then I cried. I cried until I could not cry anymore. I kept my desire to be an artist a secret until high school. I wish I could tell you that my dream was embraced but it wasn't. It has made me realize how much admonishments and criticisms can rob us of the courage to be original and take risks with our ideas. I work hard when I teach to make sure I create a safe place full of encouragement and positive energy.

Anyway, I have added more to the quilt and have decided to "stick a fork in it and call it done." Now it's time to quilt it and move on. I remain happy with the quilt.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

"A Memory with No History"

My friend Michelle Flamer is curating an exhibit called "The President's House: Their Untold Stories in Quilts." Michelle asked me to make a quilt so this is what I have been doing the last three weeks. (if you're interested in participating, let me know.) The exhibit will deal with the irony that those who sought freedom in a new nation denied it to others. My quilt is based on Oney "Ona" Judge Staines who was Martha Washington's seamstress. Ona ran away to New Hampshire and the Washington's pursued her. I have the original ad that was placed looking for her. George offered $10 for her return. Don't you just love the Internet! The 1793 has to do with the bill that Washington signed into law that kept runaway slaves fugitives. Ona died a fugitive at the age of 75 in 1848. I'm not quite sure if I'm ready to call it done. Thoughts?

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