Examine the fascinating tradition of Underground Railroad quilts in a digital talk hosted by Dr. Arlene Gehmacher, and featuring David Woods, curator of the exhibition The Secret Codes: African Nova Scotian Quilts (on until August 18, 2024 at the Textile Museum of Canada), and artist and quiltmaker, Melinda Clayton-Patterson. Embedded with a standard series of shapes and motifs, tradition has it that these patterned quilts contained codes that helped guide enslaved people on their journey to freedom. This discussion explores both the historical context of these quilts, and how this tradition of messaging and symbolism is woven into modern quilting culture.

Speakers: 

Melinda Clayton-Patterson

Melinda Clayton-Patterson is originally from East Preston, Nova Scotia and currently resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Coming from a large family of 14 siblings, her love of quilt making began as a little girl, watching and helping her mother cut up old clothing by hand using a cardboard diamond-shaped template. Despite her early exposure to the craft, Melinda didn’t begin her own quilting journey until well into her 30s. She has since mastered specific techniques and loves making Underground Railroad quilt patterns, as this gives her an opportunity explore her Black heritage. She joined Manitoba Prairie Quilters and served on the group’s executive in 2018, and in 2019, began teaching courses and hosting retreats for new quiltmakers. Her quilts have been exhibited in the BANNS touring exhibition The Secret Codes: African Nova Scotian Quilts, and her quilt “Go North” was recently purchased by the Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto for that museum’s permanent collection. She has been a member of BANNS since 2021.

David Woods

David Woods is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer and performer. He was the organizing founder of Black Artists Network of Nova Scotia (BANNS) in 1992 and has founded or co-founded several other African Nova Scotian arts organizations, including the African Nova Scotian Quilters Association, Cultural Awareness Youth Group, New Brunswick Black Artists Alliance, North Preston Cultural Association, Preston Cultural Festival, Vale Quilters Association, Voices Black Theatre Ensemble, and Voices Storytellers. He has curated acclaimed exhibitions of African Nova Scotian art and quilts including In This Place and The Secret Codes. He is the first person of African descent to serve as a curator at a provincial art museum (Art Gallery of Nova Scotia 2006-2007). His paintings have appeared in exhibitions across Canada and grace the covers of several award-winning albums and literary publications. He is the winner of major prizes for his art, poetry and drama and was awarded the prestigious Harry Jerome Award in 2016 for his contributions to the arts in Canada.

Arlene Gehmacher

Arlene Gehmacher is an art historian specializing in imagery of Canada from the 18th century to the present, primarily in the visual idioms of Western European art. She studies "Canada" as a subject in its social context, in terms of production, critical reception, institutional histories, and display strategies as a means to address how identities and historical narratives from national to personal levels are articulated and communicated. In this regard she is also interested in the significance of the development and role of printmaking - particularly chromolithography - in 19th century Canada. 

Recorded July 10, 2024