The Flint Institute of Arts Shows Unique Amish Quilts

Written by Frame Johnson Wednesday, 21 September 2011 22:04

Flint, MI.- The Flint Institute of Arts will open the exhibition "Quilting Traditions: The Art of the Amish" is open to the public. The exhibition features Amish quilts dating from the 1880s to the 1940s from the private collection of Marsha and Thomas French and will illustrate the history of Amish quilt making and the importance of this ongoing tradition. Examples from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana demonstrate noteworthy distinctions between regions and reflect the creative choices in color, pattern and styles passed down through generations of Amish women within the framework of the structured society in which they live. "Quilting Traditions: The Art of the Amish" will continue at the Flint Institute of Arts through November 13th.

The Amish emigrated from Europe to America in the early 1700s due to differences in religious beliefs. Encouraged by William Penn’s “Holy Experiment” in religious tolerance, they settled near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Often confused with Mennonites, the Amish led by Jakob Ammann, broke away from them in the late 1600s, primarily over differences involving the strict enforcement of shunning excommunicated members and other religious customs. Today, the distinction between the two groups is primarily that of manner of worship and dress. Over 250,000 Amish reside in communities located in twenty-four states across the U.S. and in Canada. Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana are home the largest Amish communities in North America. The quilts highlighted in this exhibition were intended as “Sunday” quilts made for special occasions or as gifts to family and friends. By the 1960s quilts were being made for sale to the “English” or non-Amish tourists or collectors. After the landmark American Quilts exhibition held at the Whitney Museum in New York in 1971, these formerly utilitarian objects acquired the new status of works of art and demand for them grew. This elevation of quilts to the level of art by the outside world was in direct contradiction to Amish beliefs. The creation of quilts for sale was the compromise they accepted as a way of supporting their Amish lifestyle. Amish quilts are known for their exceptional needlework, colors and graphic designs. As explained by quilt experts Dee Dadik and Molly Butler, Pennsylvania quilts are often characterized by the use of large pieces, bold saturated colors and elaborate quilting. Ohio quilts show a preference for a pieced block with smaller pieces, a format with the blocks set on point and much use of the color black as a background color. Indiana quilts use more white and light green in a block format with small pieces. Most of the quilts in this exhibition were made using scraps of fabric from their outerwear garments. The more colorful pieces came from scraps of children’s clothing, which allowed more flexibility from the rules strictly governing clothing worn by adults. So, through the tradition of quilt making, Amish women were able to develop an outlet for creativity and personal expression.

The Flint Institute of Arts has served an important role in the life of the Flint community since its founding in 1928 and today, continues to play a major role in the growth and revitalization of the city of Flint. Through its exhibitions, interpretive programs, film screenings, concerts, lectures, family events and educational outreach programs, the FIA serves more than 120,000 adults and children annually from all over southeast Michigan. The selection and presentation of exhibitions and related programming is at the heart of the FIA’s mission which is to advance the understanding and appreciation of art for all through collections, exhibitions, and educational programs. The FIA has been accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1972 and in 2002 the FIA’s collection was designated a National Treasure by the Presidents Committee on the Arts. In 2007, the FIA received the Governor’s Award for Arts and Cultural Organization. The FIA’s 150,000 sq. ft. facility is a unique space with more than 25,000 sq. ft. of gallery space, a large light-filled and welcoming entrance and lobby area with visitor amenities including a café and gift shop, an Art School, a library, a theater ideal for presentations, films, and lectures, a video gallery, and a large "great hall," seating more than 200 for events of all kinds. The FIA maintains a collection of over 8,000 objects, sustains a membership of 3,200, registers 1,700 students from pre-school age to senior citizens in Museum Art School studio classes, and presents school programs to 25,000 K-12 students annually. The Flint Institute of Arts has assembled outstanding collections of American, European, Native American, African, and Asian art including paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts. Highlights of the collection include: 15th to 18th century English, French, and Italian decorative arts, a rare shaped panel by Peter Paul Rubens, a complete set of 17th century French tapestries; a fine collection of 18th and 19th century paperweights and European glass; American and French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings; Hudson River School paintings; Regional and Great Lakes paintings; Modernist; and, Abstract Expressionist and Photorealist paintings. The collection includes works by renowned artists such as Auguste Renoir, John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, Thomas Hart Benton, Andrew Wyeth, and Duane Hanson. Visit the museum's website at ... http://www.flintarts.org

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