The legendary quilts of Gee’s Bend are hitting the road.
The Airing of the Quilts Festival Awareness Tour is making three stops across Alabama, giving folks a chance to see these iconic pieces of art up close.
Next stop: Birmingham, on Saturday, March 29, at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute from 4 to 7 p.m.
This traveling showcase is building buzz ahead of the main event—the Airing of the Quilts Festival in Gee’s Bend on October 4.
Expect color, craft, and culture, all woven together by a legacy that spans generations.
More Than a Quilt Show
Each stop on the tour features a curated display of hand-stitched quilts, along with live demonstrations from quilters who’ve honed their skills over decades.
These aren’t just blankets. They’re bold, geometric, deeply personal works of art.
The designs are rooted in tradition but still feel modern. They speak without words—and they tell stories worth hearing.
Attendees can chat with the artists, watch the quilting in action, and learn how a small community carved out a big place in American art history.
Rooted in Resilience
Kim Kelly, Executive Director of the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy, summed it up best:
“The quilts of Gee’s Bend represent resilience, creativity, and a deep cultural legacy passed down through generations.”
This tour gives people a chance to connect with that legacy.
The women of Gee’s Bend didn’t just create beautiful quilts—they built a movement.
Their work has been featured in museums around the world, but it started in humble homes with scraps and stories.
This tour brings that story right to your city.
Mobile, You’re on the Map
After stops in Montgomery and Birmingham, the tour heads to Mobile on April 26.
The Historical Avenue Cultural Center will host the event from 3 to 6 p.m.
It’s more than a display—it’s an experience. You’ll see patterns passed down through families, and you might even meet someone who stitched alongside their mother or grandmother.
These quilts hold history, and that history is coming to town.
It’s a moment worth planning around, especially for anyone who appreciates art, heritage, or a strong stitch.
Looking Ahead to October
All of this leads to the main festival in Gee’s Bend on October 4—a full day dedicated to quilt displays, artist showcases, and cultural programs.
It draws visitors from all over who want to witness the art form where it began.
The tour is powered by the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy, Souls Grown Deep, and Sew Gee’s Bend Heritage Builders.
These nonprofits work to preserve the artistic and economic contributions of the Gee’s Bend community.
This isn’t just about looking back—it’s about lifting up artists, passing down skills, and keeping the story alive for generations to come.
And now, through this tour, that story is arriving one city at a time—stitched with pride and carried with care.
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