2. Memory, family stories, cultural history, and a world filled with
color are the inspiration for Marion Coleman’s quilts.
Below is a story quilt about her visits to her great grandparents’
home in Texas.
3. Marion learned to sew from her grandmother.
Her journey as an art quilter began ten years ago
when she entered a quilting contest. She has won
numerous awards and art residencies. Her quilts
have been featured in several publications including
O, Oprah Magazine.
4. Marion Coleman lived with her grandmother most of her childhood. She
feels lucky to have stayed there; her grandmother taught her to quilt. Her
teachers encouraged her to go to college. She was the first in her family to
graduate from a university. Here is a quilt of Pearl, her stepmother.
5. Her quilts are amazing. At first glance, they appear to be paintings.
Here is Faith Ringgold, famous artist and author of Tar Beach and
other children’s picture books.
6. Notice the texture in the background on this quilt of DeeDee
Bridgewater, actress and jazz singer.
7. It is hard to believe this is a quilt. It depicts Shelagh, a long time
friend. Can you see all the stitched lines and pieces of fabric?
10. Marion Coleman often uses historical/cultural themes in her
quilts. Here is a quilt honoring Ruby Bridges, the first Black child
to attend an all white elementary school in the south.
11. This quilt, Her Heart was in the Clouds, features Bessie
Coleman, first Black female to get her pilot’s license.
12. This quilt is titled Waiting for the Freedom Train. Can you see
the eyes in the background? What could those mean?
This presentation is in conjunction with the exhibit, Quilting Wichita Falls Together, at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art
Memory, family stories, cultural history, and a world filled with color are the inspiration for Marion Coleman’s quilts.Below is a story quilt about her visits to her great grandparents’ home in Texas.
Marion learned to sew from her grandmother.
Her journey as an art quilter began ten years ago when she entered a quilting contest. She has won numerous awards and art residencies. Her quilts have been featured in several publications including O, Oprah Magazine.
Marion Coleman lived with her grandmother most of her childhood. She feels lucky to have stayed there; her grandmother taught her to quilt. Her teachers encouraged her to go to college. She was the first in her family to graduate from a university. Here is a quilt of Pearl, her stepmother.
Her quilts are amazing. At first glance, they appear to be paintings. Here is Faith Ringgold, famous artist and author of Tar Beach and other children’s picture books.
Notice the texture in the background on this quilt of DeeDee Bridgewater, actress and jazz singer.
It is hard to believe this is a quilt. It depicts Shelagh, a long time friend. Can you see all the stitched lines and pieces of fabric?
Marion Coleman’s grandmother and aunt.
Quilt of a boy with a skateboard.
Marion Coleman loves to use cultural themes in her quilts. Here is a quilt honoring Ruby Bridges, the first black child to attend an all white elementary school in the south.
This quilt, Her Heart was in the Clouds, features Bessie Coleman, first Black female to get her pilot’s license. Math concepts of measurement, geometry, scale, and proportion all play a part in the success of this quilt.
This quilt is titled Waiting for the Freedom Train. Can you see the eyes in the background? What could those mean?
Buffalo Soldier depicts a member of the first peacetime all black regiment in the US army.
Mr. Felix Lindsey, a Buffalo Soldier
Marion Coleman at an exhibition based on her Ruby Bridges quilt.
An article about Marion Coleman was published in Oprah Magazine.
Marion Coleman in her studio.
Click on these links for videos about or by Marion Coleman.
