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Although it's said that some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, for several centuries quiltmakers have been putting not only their hearts, but also sometimes their political beliefs, into their fabric creations.
Under Cover: Political Expressions in Traditional Quilts, which opens Aug. 19 at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, examines the many ways that quilting offered a means of political discourse, sometimes covert and sometimes surprisingly overt, for those who may not have always had a voice in the public arena—in particular, women.
This exhibit of traditional American quilts, largely from the 19th century, draws many of its displays from the museum's permanent collection, although a few pieces have also been loaned to the museum by private collectors. The quilts of Under Cover express a broad range of political viewpoints, everything from patriotism to support for the temperance movement.
On Oct. 13, the museum's executive director, Jane Przybysz, will present a lecture and performance in which she will discuss the many ways quilts became tools of political expression for their makers and how, historically, these textile artworks helped foster an important sense of community among women. (See related story on final page of the Steppin' Out section.)
Under Cover: Political Expressions in Traditional Quilts runs Aug. 19Oct. 26 at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, 110 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. An opening reception takes place Aug. 24, 24 p.m. (free with museum admission of $5 general/$4 students and seniors). For more information, call 408.971.0323 or see www.sjquiltmuseum.org.
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