Stitched Together: A Visual Patchwork from the CMA Collection

In conjunction with Quilt National 2023, the Canton Museum of Art presents Stitched Together: A Visual Patchwork from the CMA Collection, a salon style display of works from our Permanent Collection in similar fashion to a quilt, telling stories that relate to quilting and its rich history.

The art of quilting spans several centuries and continents. Initially created out of necessity for their ability to provide warmth through repurposed fabrics, over time, quilts became much more decorative and personal, exemplifying impressive artistry and storytelling. Through their unique designs, many quilts use symbols and images to represent something which, when combined, tell an overarching story which the viewer must decode. Quilts have also been used to commemorate special occasions, celebrate heritage, express activist messages, share compelling stories, and share beautiful designs or patterns. As a result of the stories they share, quilts become a relic of the maker’s life, and are weaved into the fabric of American history. Just as with other art forms, quilts have been influenced by the culture, events, and environment of the times in which they were created. The beauty of storytelling through quilting is that every piece and stitch matters, and every quilt is indeed a sum of its parts, not unlike life itself.

Just as each patch in a quilt is stitched together with care to form a single blanket, each artwork in this exhibition will be “stitched” together salon style to fill entire walls from floor to ceiling. As one piece of the overall puzzle, each work helps tell an overarching story based on themes traditionally found in the storytelling of quilts. The various themes in Stitched Together pay homage to the history of quilting, and the stories conveyed by the makers. The themes are drawn from some important aspects of quiltmaking, including family and community, shapes and patterns, and storytelling.

Stitched Together will combine works of various colors, patterns, and mediums into a patchwork design that celebrates and commemorates the history of quiltmaking using stories within the collection. This exhibit will give viewers a chance to view works from the collection in a brand new way, allowing for a visually unique storytelling experience, and paying homage to an art form that is rooted in American history and tradition, passed down from generation to generation.