Keepsake Quilt
Denver Public Art 1%
1988.4.1
"Keepsake Quilt" is a textile work created by a group of 24 quilters. The name of each quilter is embroidered in red and is located at the center of each “Crossroad” pattern. There are five rows of five names except the third row, which features a “North Star” pattern.
(from left to right)
Row 1: Jim Bannerman, Maureen Cracker, Mary Boris, Jean Edgeworth, Lisa Faulter
Row 2: Bobbie Dormany, Gene H Grier, Stanley Drass, Jen Dausing, Sallie Deirdry
Row 3: Mildred Hall, Ruthel Harper, Janet Jerome, Debbie Jones
Row 4: Betty A. Lawrence, Ahmed Lucas, Roberta Marshall, Alma Menig, Diane Rice
Row 5: Pauliao Robram, Eleanor Sauonartv, Sarah Jappan, Alberta Thomas, Sandra Tanner
Quilting plays a significant role in African-American history. It is believed that quilts aided in the Underground Railroad, providing recognizable coded patterns to guide formerly enslaved people to safety. This Keepsake quilt uses various motifs and symbols from Freedom Quilt traditions, including the central NorthStar and Crossroads patterns. The North Star symbolizes looking to the skies to help navigate the way, and the Crossroads pattern indicates to keep going and travel to the crossroads. The main crossroad along the Underground Railroad was in Ohio, just before crossing into Canada. The red color of the embroidery is also meant to symbolize love, life, energy, and joy.
(from left to right)
Row 1: Jim Bannerman, Maureen Cracker, Mary Boris, Jean Edgeworth, Lisa Faulter
Row 2: Bobbie Dormany, Gene H Grier, Stanley Drass, Jen Dausing, Sallie Deirdry
Row 3: Mildred Hall, Ruthel Harper, Janet Jerome, Debbie Jones
Row 4: Betty A. Lawrence, Ahmed Lucas, Roberta Marshall, Alma Menig, Diane Rice
Row 5: Pauliao Robram, Eleanor Sauonartv, Sarah Jappan, Alberta Thomas, Sandra Tanner
Quilting plays a significant role in African-American history. It is believed that quilts aided in the Underground Railroad, providing recognizable coded patterns to guide formerly enslaved people to safety. This Keepsake quilt uses various motifs and symbols from Freedom Quilt traditions, including the central NorthStar and Crossroads patterns. The North Star symbolizes looking to the skies to help navigate the way, and the Crossroads pattern indicates to keep going and travel to the crossroads. The main crossroad along the Underground Railroad was in Ohio, just before crossing into Canada. The red color of the embroidery is also meant to symbolize love, life, energy, and joy.