Airing of the Quilts Exhibit
Airing of the Quilts Exhibit
April 1 – June 14
Experience the power and artistry of the world-renowned Gee’s Bend quilts—handmade works of resistance, memory, and generational pride.
A Preview of the Festival, A Celebration of Legacy
The Airing of the Quilts Exhibition brings the vibrant tradition of Gee’s Bend quilting to the walls of BCRI. On display are handmade quilts by celebrated artists whose work embodies both personal expression and collective history.
This spring showcase offers a preview of the Airing of the Quilts Festival, happening this fall in Gee’s Bend. The exhibition features stunning pieces from master quilters, interactive elements, and a live quilting demonstration at our kickoff event.
Want to experience the full festival in October?
Learn more at airingofthequilts.org
Stitched into History
Gee’s Bend—known today as Boykin, Alabama—is a small, rural community with a rich and complex history. Once the site of a cotton plantation, it became home to generations of Black families who, through resilience and creativity, turned hardship into heritage.
From the sharecropping era to the Civil Rights Movement, the women of Gee’s Bend used quilting not only to clothe and comfort—but to resist, remember, and rise. Quilting bees helped fund civil rights marches. Quilts became quiet acts of defiance. And artistry became a legacy passed down through daughters and granddaughters.
The story of Gee’s Bend is a story of place, protest, and the power of women’s hands.
Learn more about the history of Gee’s Bend at geesbend.org
A Living Tradition You Can Witness
The quilts on display are more than artwork—they’re living documents of faith, family, and freedom. This exhibition is a tribute to the women of Gee’s Bend and the traditions they’ve carried forward, stitch by stitch.
Don’t miss your chance to see these powerful works up close.