The American Folk Art Museum
I think you'll enjoy the website for the American Folk Art Museum because it has so much information not only about quilting but about American Folk Art, a wonderful source of inspiration and appreciation. What is folk art? I'll include a link to their site that explains it so well: Folk Art Explanation.
I'd like to also point out that they are located in New York City in a great building. The building itself has won a number of architectural awards since 2001 including Best Building in the World awards. Talk about commitment!
They do have many quilts available to view online as part of their past, present and future exhibits information. Each section online provides helpful information on the topic along with the quilt images. Clicking on their online images will allow a larger picture to pop-up with quilt specific details.
NOTE: All images appear from the collection of the American Folk Art Museum.
"A Legacy in Quilts: Cyril Irwin Nelson's Final Gifts to the American Folk Art Museum", an exhibit that just ended in February, 2008 (click for A Legacy in Quilt Link). Mr. Nelson was a trustee of the museum and developed a wonderful collection of quilts. Really, really wish I had attended this exhibit. Only ten of these beautiful quilts are currently available for viewing online, such as:
"Nine Patch Variation Quilt", Artist Unknown, c. 1835 "Holly Hocks Quilt", by Eva G. Rex, 1944
Another exhibit entitled "Midwestern Amish Quilts" (Amish Quilts) ended in July, 2009. I do think so many of the Amish quilts are striking in their use of color and presentation. I would love to spend time in Ohio and Pennsylvania just to travel around and see all the different, smaller museums and stores that aren't online. Image what's out there.... This exhibit by the American Folk Art Museum must have been beautiful and a true treat to attend. Here are a few of the seven examples available for viewing online:
"Ocean Waves Variation Quilt", Artist Unknown, c. 1920 "Sailboats Quilt", by Amanda Lehman, c. 1960
And then they had this great exhibit they simply called "Blue" (Blue Link) back in 2005. This exhibit presented various folk art pieces from the eighteenth century through the present day, including quilts. This would have been another thoughtful and bright exhibit to attend, I really wish I had been able to attend this one. The link does include a few quilt images, like the one below which is so beautiful:
"Reflection", by Kathyanne White, 2001
My mother would have loved this exhibit.
The Museum has the image and story of the 9/11 National Tribute Quilt but if you want to see the quilt in person it's located not in their museum but in their branch location at 2 Lincoln Square. The quilt includes blocks from all 50 states as well as a number of countries and measures 8 feet by 30 feet. It has 3,466 blocks and the museum provides further details about this memorable quilt (9/11 National Tribute Quilt).
Looking to the future, they do have an exhibit that begins on October 21, 2008 through March 15, 2009 that I know I will put every effort at attending: Recycling and Resourcefulness: Quilts of the 1930s. A dozen quilts will be on view from the International Quilt Study Center & Museum (previously blogged about, thank you!) that will showcase innovative quilts, such as:
"Hexagons Quilt", Artist Unidentified, c. 1935
The reason I'm rather convinced we'll go to this one is the Museum has a Mark Rothko exhibit on at the same time and he's one of the few painters that Christopher really likes. So, I'm hoping a trip to New York City during the winter is in the works!
I think this museum has a wonderful website and they are active in presenting their material online. They really seem to care about their subject matter and I think it shows. They do seem to present new, varied exhibits often.
AND, great news: Courtney at the museum notified me that they are working to have ALL of their quilts available for viewing online! As soon as I hear that this has been accomplished (no small feat) I will update the blog for everyone.
Hope you visit their site: American Folk Art Museum. They have so much interesting and well presented material - and not just on quilting! Also, hope you visit them in person if you're in NYC.
Best,
Fiona
I'd like to also point out that they are located in New York City in a great building. The building itself has won a number of architectural awards since 2001 including Best Building in the World awards. Talk about commitment!
They do have many quilts available to view online as part of their past, present and future exhibits information. Each section online provides helpful information on the topic along with the quilt images. Clicking on their online images will allow a larger picture to pop-up with quilt specific details.
NOTE: All images appear from the collection of the American Folk Art Museum.
"A Legacy in Quilts: Cyril Irwin Nelson's Final Gifts to the American Folk Art Museum", an exhibit that just ended in February, 2008 (click for A Legacy in Quilt Link). Mr. Nelson was a trustee of the museum and developed a wonderful collection of quilts. Really, really wish I had attended this exhibit. Only ten of these beautiful quilts are currently available for viewing online, such as:
"Nine Patch Variation Quilt", Artist Unknown, c. 1835 "Holly Hocks Quilt", by Eva G. Rex, 1944
Another exhibit entitled "Midwestern Amish Quilts" (Amish Quilts) ended in July, 2009. I do think so many of the Amish quilts are striking in their use of color and presentation. I would love to spend time in Ohio and Pennsylvania just to travel around and see all the different, smaller museums and stores that aren't online. Image what's out there.... This exhibit by the American Folk Art Museum must have been beautiful and a true treat to attend. Here are a few of the seven examples available for viewing online:
"Ocean Waves Variation Quilt", Artist Unknown, c. 1920 "Sailboats Quilt", by Amanda Lehman, c. 1960
And then they had this great exhibit they simply called "Blue" (Blue Link) back in 2005. This exhibit presented various folk art pieces from the eighteenth century through the present day, including quilts. This would have been another thoughtful and bright exhibit to attend, I really wish I had been able to attend this one. The link does include a few quilt images, like the one below which is so beautiful:
"Reflection", by Kathyanne White, 2001
My mother would have loved this exhibit.
The Museum has the image and story of the 9/11 National Tribute Quilt but if you want to see the quilt in person it's located not in their museum but in their branch location at 2 Lincoln Square. The quilt includes blocks from all 50 states as well as a number of countries and measures 8 feet by 30 feet. It has 3,466 blocks and the museum provides further details about this memorable quilt (9/11 National Tribute Quilt).
Looking to the future, they do have an exhibit that begins on October 21, 2008 through March 15, 2009 that I know I will put every effort at attending: Recycling and Resourcefulness: Quilts of the 1930s. A dozen quilts will be on view from the International Quilt Study Center & Museum (previously blogged about, thank you!) that will showcase innovative quilts, such as:
"Hexagons Quilt", Artist Unidentified, c. 1935
The reason I'm rather convinced we'll go to this one is the Museum has a Mark Rothko exhibit on at the same time and he's one of the few painters that Christopher really likes. So, I'm hoping a trip to New York City during the winter is in the works!
I think this museum has a wonderful website and they are active in presenting their material online. They really seem to care about their subject matter and I think it shows. They do seem to present new, varied exhibits often.
AND, great news: Courtney at the museum notified me that they are working to have ALL of their quilts available for viewing online! As soon as I hear that this has been accomplished (no small feat) I will update the blog for everyone.
Hope you visit their site: American Folk Art Museum. They have so much interesting and well presented material - and not just on quilting! Also, hope you visit them in person if you're in NYC.
Best,
Fiona
I was just thinking about The American Folk Art Museum and you've really helped out. Thanks!
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