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Spring 2016

Quilting in Community: A Celebration of a Southern Indiana Amish Tradition
January 27 - March 13, 2016
Reception: 2-4 p.m., Sunday, January 31, 2016

Quilting in Community: A Celebration of a Southern Indiana Amish Tradition is on display January 27 – March 13, 2016 at the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries at the University of Southern Indiana. This exhibition focuses on the contemporary quilts, quilt makers and the Southern Indiana Amish community.

The quilts on display are drawn from USI's Morton Quilt Collection and related archival information and research on them. This collection features many Amish contemporary quilts and is unique in that the makers of the quilts are recognized by name; it is very unusual for Amish quilt makers to take credit for their work. This exhibit presents and celebrates Amish qualities reflected in the craftsmanship of quilts.

Trip Around the World pattern on multicolored quilt
Trip Around the World
Wild Geese quilt pattern
Wild Geese

Judy '73 and the late Tom Morton of Newburgh, Indiana, donated the Morton Quilt Collection to the University of Southern Indiana in 2013. The collectors, Judy '73 and the late Tom Morton of Newburgh, Indiana have a very close and respectful relationship with many members of the Amish community. 

There will be a free public reception at from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, January 31. Quilt collector and quilting expert Judy Morton will be present, as will Susan Colaricci Sauls, curator of the exhibit and Registrar of the USI Art Collection. Sauls will make brief remarks about the exhibition and its cultural and aesthetic importance.

This is an endorsed Indiana Bicentennial Commission Legacy Project event. Please visit the Indiana Bicentennial Commission website to view other endorsed Bicentennial Legacy Projects, news and events.