Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South: Mississippi Museum of Art

Step into the world of quilting with Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South, on view November 16, 2024 – April 13, 2025. Over the past twenty years, MMA has amassed one of the largest quilt collections in the American South. This exhibition will feature over 50 handmade and machine-stitched quilts from MMA’s permanent collection, including Crossroads Quilters, Gwendolyn Magee, and several collected by American photographer Roland L. Freeman on his travels, recently acquired by MMA in 2022.  

Curator Dr. Sharbreon Plummer combines thorough research, innovative interpretation, and community engagement to form a cohesive, experiential study of American art through a Black feminist lens. The exhibition and the accompanying publication seek to illuminate the processes and practices of Black Southern quilters and demystify cultural narratives assigned to their artistry while celebrating the enduring impact of quilting on communities and generations. Join us on a journey of discovery and appreciation, where every stitch tells a story of resilience, creativity, and cultural identity. 

Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South, a presentation in the Myra Green and Lynn Green Root Memorial Exhibition Series, is presented with support from Henry Luce Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Dealers Association of America Foundation, Visit Mississippi, and Visit Jackson. 

Text: © 2024 Mississippi Museum of Art