Yesterday was one I've looked forward to for many years. FINALLY, I was able to meet and photograph some of the now famous
Gee's Bend quilters. They are here for the week participating in
Common Threads at the Alys Stephens Center at UAB, along with
Groupe Bogolon Kasobane mud cloth makers from Bamako, Mali. This partnership brings together textile artists from West Alabama and West Africa. It's free to the public and what I loved the most was the access to interact and move around and watch them work. I took a LOT of photographs, hung over their shoulders while they worked, and asked a million questions. Everyone was delightfully patient. The artists from Mali tolerated my weak French, and the Gee's Bend ladies even sang a few spirituals while they worked. I'm sorry I didn't have a video cam for that! Today I wanted you to meet these ladies, but this week I'll have more from both groups. I LOVE THIS "JOB"!
