MARVTASITC MEMORIES PROJECT 2011
Dr. Joan Gaither - Fiber Artist
Dr. Joan M.E. Gaither, an accomplished fiber artist, created several quilts that were exhibited at the Banneker-Douglass Museum, Baltimore Maryland, employing a technique she refers to as “quilting from the soul.” She describes this as approaching quilt making as one would in creating a multi-layered collage, combining a variety of vibrant fabrics, images, geometric forms, symbols, and text. This technique allows the experienced as well as the novice quilter to use current technology and mixed media, along with traditional materials, to create pieces with remarkable energy, reflecting a sense of place, community family, history and identity.
| marvtastic_memories_quilt_-_press_release_nbtf.pdf |
The NBTF History Quilt
Herman LeVern Jones in association with the Arts Council of Winston Salem to present the work of Dr. Joan M. E. Gaither, a published Fiber Artist. We thank Mr. Richard Emmett (Chief Operating Officer of the Arts Council) for his interest and dedication in helping to share with the community this historical presentation in honor of the late Larry Leon Hamlin Artistic Director and founder of the NBTF.
THE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL (1989-2011) THROUGH THE EYES OF FIBER ARTIST DR. JOAN M. E. GAITHER, subtitle MARVTASTIC MEMORIES OF THE National Black Theatre Festival Circa 1989-2011 will be on display at the historic NBTF from August 1-6, 2011 in the city of Winston Salem, NC at Womble Carlyle Gallery Lobby located at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts on 251 N. Spruce Street, Winston Salem, NC 27101.
The Quilt features a life size image of the late Larry Leon Hamlin. It is a pictorial history of every play, actors, directors, and special quest from the birth of the NBTF. It displays the actual city blocks where the festival is headquartered, and everything in-between. When it is viewed, first thoughts are how the Fabric Artist actually created this work. It is extraordinary!
At the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival, Herman LeVern met Joan Gaither in the main lobby of the Festival hotel. Their discussion was about the history of the Festival. Dr. Gaither shared that she was a Fiber Artist and Herman LeVern asked “Could you create a history of the Festival in quilt form?” Dr. Gaither stated “Yes, that’s what I do”. Herman LeVern did not know what he was asking, but shared with Dr. Gaither “I miss my friend, Larry Leon and I wish I could do something in his honor.”
THE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL (1989-2011) THROUGH THE EYES OF FIBER ARTIST DR. JOAN M. E. GAITHER, subtitle MARVTASTIC MEMORIES OF THE National Black Theatre Festival Circa 1989-2011 will be on display at the historic NBTF from August 1-6, 2011 in the city of Winston Salem, NC at Womble Carlyle Gallery Lobby located at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts on 251 N. Spruce Street, Winston Salem, NC 27101.
The Quilt features a life size image of the late Larry Leon Hamlin. It is a pictorial history of every play, actors, directors, and special quest from the birth of the NBTF. It displays the actual city blocks where the festival is headquartered, and everything in-between. When it is viewed, first thoughts are how the Fabric Artist actually created this work. It is extraordinary!
At the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival, Herman LeVern met Joan Gaither in the main lobby of the Festival hotel. Their discussion was about the history of the Festival. Dr. Gaither shared that she was a Fiber Artist and Herman LeVern asked “Could you create a history of the Festival in quilt form?” Dr. Gaither stated “Yes, that’s what I do”. Herman LeVern did not know what he was asking, but shared with Dr. Gaither “I miss my friend, Larry Leon and I wish I could do something in his honor.”