Hello, Again

We will have Sylvia and Mozell joining us for the show this year. Sylvia Stephens is the daughter of Mozell Benson. She has worked over the past years as Mozell's apprentice. Her quilts are reflective of Mozell's style but strongly Sylvia. We spoke yesterday..."Sylvia, it's Shannon...it is so good to talk with you again. I saw the story in the paper..." A familiar voice can take you back.

Just yesterday the OA News wrote about Mozell working with the school children in Loachapoka. She was helping them put together a story quilt. I can imagine the children completely mesmerized by her voice and strong hands. Mozell has a way of looking at you, talking with you, as if you have have been her friend forever.


Last year when Keegan and I visited her studio, she showed us how she makes prayer knots in her quilts. We were standing in a painting with Mozell bent over her quilting tables. Pieces of colored fabric hanging down behind her, rich wood all around while her hands sewed the thread through the material. Sylvia was beaming. Keegan and I were in heaven.

The quilt show will begin with a reception. I hope that you have the opportunity to join us on Saturday, March 28th from 3-5 at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship located on Thach Avenue. The quilters enjoy meeting everyone who has come to see them. They love showing and talking about their work. It is a memorable event.

Meeting Two New Mary's

There are a lot of places that I have not been in Alabama. Particularly the back roads of Lee County. Keegan is right, it is beautiful and I want to go back soon to explore. We were almost lost. Of course, when you think you are...if you trust your instincts and venture a bit further...you find that you are going the right direction. It's important to trust your instincts. This day, this trip, we got to meet Mrs. Mary Lois Ross. She is hand quilter extraordinaire.

I want to thank Mary Lynn Porter for guiding us to Mary Lois' home and patiently waiting for us to show up at the meeting place. Mary Lynn is a gracious soul. I know she means a lot to those who live in this area.



We will be posting videos and information as the preparation for the show continues. A free subscription to the blog (see right of page) is available that offers RSS updates.

County Rd. 72 vs. Quilt Groupies

Yesterday was a good day to (almost) get lost between county roads 50 and 72. Alabama really does have some spectacular views in the most unexpected places. Although, I will admit I missed a portion of our maiden voyage to Mary Lois' house due to the irresistible draw of Vertigo's Sandman issue IV. In between panels, I was able to catch snatches of honest, back road bliss.

It's refreshing to make acquaintances with people as genuine as Mary Lois. I was initially wary after finding a "beware of dog" sign preceding the entry to her house; however, although I never met her guard dog, she was one of the sweetest ladies I have met. Boasting quilts stylistically independent of all others featured in the show, her's are not some you'll want to miss. They carry just as much heritage as they do color.

Make sure not to leave the quilt show without roping Mary Lois in for at least one story - you'll be glad you did.

Getting to know Mamie Saxton

This is the second year that I have been involved with the quilt show. I have come to think of the quilters as my dearest friends. I am so fortunate to be able to share time with them, hear their stories and admire their artwork.

Talking with these ladies is like walking in the warm sun on a crisp day. When Keegan and I went out to start our interviews on Saturday, the skies were blue without a cloud in sight. It was a perfect day.



Mamie was the first interview. It was so nice to see her again. We hugged and sat down in her home to catch up. Mamie is a gracious host. Keegan and I were sad to hear "Dusty" had passed away this summer. "Cat" was sleeping by the heater in complete comfort. Her home was so welcoming.

It had been a year but felt like yesterday. Mamie is an amazing woman. Her family, her love of quilting, her genuine smile. I don't now a lot of people who would welcome you into their homes and allow you to photograph and film them without reservation. This is the common thread with these east alabama women who quilt by hand. They know each other. Many of them have quilted together. They grew up together. They have a sisterhood that many of us dream of. I think this is one of the secrets that need to be told.

Formalities, Fabric, and Friendships.

Back again, this year! It's certainly been a colorful start to this years quilt show proceedings. Yesterday, over the course of the afternoon, we were able to make a few new friends, while visiting other familiar faces. Both Mamie Saxton and Ruth Lockhart are back and better than ever, while Ernestine Warren, an addition from last year's show, already feels like family with such a magnetic personality. We've begun to gather quilts from all sorts of fabrics and traditions that look to mark the beginning of another charming show this Spring.

Stay tuned for more introductions, insights, and insignificancies!

Interviewing the Quilters

This is the beginning... we are preparing for the 2009 annual quilt show. The Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has been hosting a quilt show of African-American quilts since 1995. This year, our 14th year, we are honored to show some of the following quilters; Mozell Benson, Mamie Saxton, Ernestine Warren, Ruth Lockhart, Sylvia Stephens, Mary Lois Ross, Essie Tolbert, and Ozell Preston. Please subscribe to this blog so you can receive frequent updates about the quilters and their art.We hope you enjoy meeting these talented women of East Alabama.