EDNA'S ACTIVITIES

I will do a demonstration/exhibition in Wisconsin, at the Midwest Folk Festival entitled "African American Creative Fabric Designs." The event is scheduled for August 23 and 24, 2008.
As an artist I love the creative process and the many forms of artistry, and getting a great chance to create in a medium other than fabric is fantastic. It takes me back to my early days at SIU-Edwardville, where I was totally enthralled in my studio art classes and had a great time sampling the various media's. Arts in Architecture has given me the opportunity and a commission to create a large sculpture out of concrete and mosaic (my chosen media). I am creating an interactive piece which is a big turtle 6'x5'. I will have one year from my start date to complete my finished design.
I do workshops with various organizations to either construct a quilt based on their input or working with groups and they design a quilt that I construct.
On the right is a quilt that was created by young girls from Liberia ages 11-13. This was a 5 week workshop at the International Institute in St. Louis and was a part of a community arts outreach program through St. Louis Art Museum. The workshop was composed of young girls creating a square using fabric, painting, and other techniques to create something that showed their personality. Once they were finished I put the squares together to create the finished outcome. Click for larger view.

Recently, I completed a freedom quilt for Grace Hill Settlement House in St. Louis. It commemorates the Freedom Crossing of Mary Meachum. I met with teen moms at the program on two occasions and they did the printing of the border, I printed images of a re-enactment using fabric and then completed the process of developing the quilt. Click for larger view.

I have started what I hope will be an annual event called "Healing Arts" I have been given a space in Jones Park, and I will work with 15 students for the summer. It will be about positive affirmations, journaling, art in groups and individuals. They will learn fine art techniques instead of just doing arts and crafts. The children must have a very strong interest in the visual arts and be willing to work hard. The last part of the project will be a culmination of their hard work in having a community art show. The ages will range from 7-16 and they will be divided into age groups of 7 to 12, and 13 to16.

The Katherine Dunham piece that I created "Lady D" (Click to view), will be a part of the "Quilting African American Women's History: Our Challenges, Creativity, and Champions." It will open at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center. The quilt is already in the hands of Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, who is curator for the exhibit the quilts are now being photographed. All quilts will be published in a full color catalogue as a companion to the exhibit. The work will be on display at the museum from March 08, until Sept. 08, then the exhibit will travel and 18 month tour across the United States

Contact me if you have questions regarding any of these activities at: Ebonygirlp@aol.com