Nineteen Stars: Quilts of Indiana's Present and Past

This is my second installment about a quilt exhibit at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science in Evansville, IN. The exhibit opened on October 24 and runs through January 10, 2016. NINETEEN STARS: QUILTS OF INDIANA’S PRESENT AND PAST, begins the museum’s celebration of Indiana’s upcoming Bicentennial. The theme is drawn from the 19 stars depicted in the state flag that commemorate Indiana’s position as the 19th state to join the Union. I recently had the opportunity to view this wonderful exhibit. If you live close enough to check it out, please do so. If you would like more information about the exhibit or museum, click here.

Here are some more of my favorites.

This one is a string star (Enlightened Star made by Judy Pleiss, from Indianapolis, in 2014). She says she was inspired by a 1940s scrap quilt top she purchased for $15. I love the lively colors in this quilt; I LOVE scrap quilts.

This was my favorite feathered star. It was made in Pike County--1840-1870. This is another quilt where the quilting is just FABULOUS.

I had to show you a close up of this star. There is LOTS of gorgeous hand quilting on this quilt.

Penny Sisto has two quilts in the exhibit. (I'm only showing you one of them. You REALLY need to see these quilts in person. The imagery is spectacular, and the eyes haunting.) The focus of both quilts is Frances Slocum. At the age of five, Frances was kidnapped by Delaware Indians. She was raised among the Delaware in what is now Ohio and Indiana. This quilt is called Frances Slocum's Totem and was made in 2014.

Penny says, "Against a darkening sky a Totem forms. It is made up of the child Frances Slocum in the years after she was kidnapped."

"The horizon of the quilt shows a child's memory of the kidnappers galloping bareback. The scene is chaotic and stands in sharp contrast to the stillness of the Totem group. Frances holds a deerskin shield bearing the symbol of a white deer."

"The shield frames the head of her adopted Grandmother/Teacher who teaches her the ways of her new people."

"An eagle rises behind Frances to bring her guidance and courage. Fractured stars form a line behind her right sholder, lighting her pathway."

I will have one more installment on this exhibit. Stay tuned.

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