the quilters, and then me

Found this picture today stuck in a random book that I was using to keep something flat. When I worked for the Liz Leach Gallery in Portland I got to meet a few of the quilt-makers from Gee's Bend, almost exactly two years ago. My job during their stay was essentially to drive them around from their hotel to interview and lecture venues around Portland. I also got to handle the quilts and mount them onto the walls of the gallery, which was exciting-- my favorites were the ones with old stains all over them, especially a smaller wonky one made for a child's bed. That's me in the middle clad in dirty jeans which I remember being embarassed about.