We Are the Story

Image: “Cracked Justice” by Carolyn Crump

We Are the Story on display at Minneapolis’ Textile Center
September 10, 2020 though June 12, 2021

When Minneapolis became the epicenter of the nationwide protest movement against police brutality and racism in America following the death of George Floyd on May 25, Minneapolis-based Textile Center and the Women of Color Quilters Network (WCQN) joined forces to create We Are the Story, a series of seven quilt exhibitions to be presented in the Twin Cities starting September 10, 2020, and running through June 12, 2021. The exhibitions are under the curatorial direction of Carolyn Mazloomi, WCQN founder and member of Textile Center’s National Artist Advisory Council.

Co-sponsored by UROC, the exhibitions and related discussions aim to build upon symbols of liberation, resistance and empowerment, offering a visually compelling account of the breadth of experiences and struggles that comprise Black history as seen through the eyes of textile artists. Portions of the exhibitions will be on display at UROC and other Twin Cities locations in 2021. 

“George Floyd’s cry to his Mama for maternal help, mirrors a symbolic guttural cry for help from the belly of our nation,” writes curator Mazloomi. “Our citizens are crying out for protection, comfort, and education. In response to that cry, and to help educate the public on brutality, inequities, and racism in America, the Textile Center and the Women of Color Quilters Network and our partners, together, have organized this series of art quilt exhibitions. Collectively, the exhibition quilts will tell the unsung stories that affect our understanding and inspire our resolve to end this unholy trinity of societal ills.”

The exhibitions feature a companion series of public Zoom talks on issues of police brutality, racism, and inequities in America in support of Black Lives Matter. For complete details, visit textilecentermn.org.