On Wednesday June 18th, award winning quilters, Diane Larrier Collier and Marilyn Hamilton Jackson, will join us to discuss Juneteenth, Underground Railroad quilts and the enduring cultural tradition of Black quilting. Most peoplethink the majority of quilts in Black communities are folksy or  improvisational, and that's just not true; they're actually very diverse.

The lecture will include several of their Juneteenth quilts, and a version of the Underground Railroad quilts.

Location: The Barn at Orchard Hill

All Ages,  Pre-registration Required. Free!

DIANE LARRIER COLLIER

Diane Larrier Collier is a life-long avid stitcher whose primary focus had been making clothing for her family and herself. After her children went off to college and her once-thin figure thickened, she turned to quilting to fulfill her passion for sewing and has not stopped since. Diane is an extreme machine quilter: she pieces, appliqués, embellishes, quilts, and finishes her projects on her home sewing machine and stationary quilting machine. Pieces from her repertoire, an eclectic mix of techniques ranging from traditional to art quilts, have garnered multiple awards and acclaim throughout the NYC area. A retired Spanish teacher who lives in Jamaica, Queens, she uninhibitedly indulges her every stitching whim. She also creates original patterns and teaches sewing as well as quilt construction classes.

MARILYN HAMILTON JACKSON

Marilyn Hamilton Jackson is a quilter that creates traditional, but favors art and affinity quilts. For her, quilting represents a bond between movement and her cultural identity, characterized by her signature fabric-scrapping technique, her use of earth tones, and application of Afrocentric themes and fabric. She has had an impressive and extensive career in the dance community that spans several decades as a national and international performer, choreographer and instructor. After retiring, she pursued a long time love of quilting, being drawn to exploring creative movement, to experiment and create designs through fabric. She has exhibited at numerous venues over her 15 + years of creating fiber arts, having her efforts rewarded with several ribbons and awards.