As American as Quilts and Jazz Music

Liz Pemberton, So Jazzy! 2006

Perhaps more than any other art form, quilts and jazz are quintessentially American. Not only do they find their roots in our American history, but through intrinsically detailed forms, their artists tell our story. The Freedom Center is now hosting an exhibition that brings both together. Textural Rhythms: Constructing the Jazz Tradition inflicts a wonderful sense of pride in the beauty that is these two American traditions.

The show seeks to reveal the formal similarities between quiltmaking and jazz. Though these common elements become plainly evident as you enter the jazz-filled galleries of quilts. The music along with the imagery immediately speaks to our collective cultural history.

When we think of quilts, we may not imagine those like the ones in this exhibit and we may not be familiar with many of the jazz artists, but when you see this show, you will know these art traditions as woven into our own American identity.

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