The Quilters of Gee's Bend

I would like to introduce you to the quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama, USA. The artisans of this small community have for more than six generations designed some of the most beautiful, unusual, and original rag-pieced quilts available today.

Sixty quilts by the Gee's Bend quilters premiered at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas in 2002 and were recently on view at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.The hamlet of Gee's Bend is so isolated that outsiders have rarely visited it. However, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. did visit Gee's Bend and spoke there on the eve of his march to Selma, Alabama in 1965.

Please review the attached documents taken from various websites

Then, tell me about those in your family or of your acquaintance who are craft artisans.

Do you believe those who create original works of textile craft such as quilts, woven, crocheted, and knitted textiles can be considered artists and their works considered to be art? Why?

Can you give other examples?

Why would you consider collecting these works?

Would you consider collecting other works of craft art or art by non-formally trained artists such as Elijha Pierce (wood carver) , or Willard Wigan(Micro Sculptor)? Why/Why not?