Gee's Bend in High Gear

To imagine the love child of Maya Angelou and Kara Walker is to envision -- however hypothetically -- the potent soulfulness expressed by Gee's Bend Quilts, now on show at the Austin Museum of Art.

The exhibit, Mary Lee Bendolph, Gee's Bend Quilts and Beyond, celebrates the women artists of Gee's Bend, a small African American community in rural Alabama where, even today, only a single road leads in and out.

Accordingly, the region's quilts reflect the passing of time slowed to a trickle; local creative traditions have persisted without interruption since the 19th century. The aesthetic visions of "the Benders," as they are known, borrow as heavily from West African textiles as from modern, bold jazz refrains.

Last evening, nearly a dozen of these fearsome needle-and-thread talents arrived in Austin. Spanning generations, they traveled from Alabama by bus (a few of them are afraid to fly). And, though probably exhausted from the journey, they still managed to hug everyone in sight when they made their first official stop at AMoA this morning.

Consider joining in their good-vibe fest. A virtual olympiad of Gee's Bend activity descends upon our city this week, and you can attend any -- or all -- of the following events. While you're at it, you might want to order some stamps, too. Philatelists unite!

Gee’s Bend Public Programs

Lecture by William Arnett, collector of African-American vernacular art
Thursday, September 28
AMOA-Downtown, 823 Congress Ave.
7 pm
Free with Museum admission ($5, $4 for students and seniors)

Book signing by the artists
Friday, September 29
12 – 2 pm
AMOA-Downtown, 823 Congress Ave.
(see above)

Artist talk by Lonnie Holley
Friday, September 29
6 pm
AMOA-Downtown, 823 Congress Ave.
(see above)

Book signing at the Austin Area Quilt Show
Saturday, September 30
Crockett Center, 10601 North Lamar Blvd.
10 am– 12 pm
Adults $7, Seniors $5, Children under 12 Free

Family activities and a conversation between the artists and the AMOA Director
Saturday, September 30
12 – 4 pm
The George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St.
Free