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Writer's pictureO.V. Brantley

Speaking Quilts at the High Museum

Quilts by Atlanta Quilt Festival winning quilters on the screen.

I enjoyed participating in a panel discussion Saturday, September 7th at High Museum of Art held in collaboration with the Patterns in Abstraction exhibit. Peggy Martin, past president of the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild, and I discussed African American quilts with High Museum Curator Katherine Jentleson. We illustrated our discussion with slides of beautiful quilts.

Many members of the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild also participate in the Atlanta Quilt Festival.

We also discussed the differences between the Brown Sugar Stitchers and the Atlanta Quilt Festival. Generally, quilt guilds operate year round and provide programming for members that may include making charity quilts, classes for its members, community events, and of course show and tell. The Atlanta Quilt Festival produces one event each year in August at the Southwest Arts Center. Guilds as well as quilters who are not members of quilt guilds participate in the Atlanta Quilt Festival.

The crowd arrived early and there was an overflow crowd once the event started.

Katie discussed the plans of the High Museum to acquire more quilts. The panel also answered questions from the audience.

Mona Haygood receives her Best of Show ribbon, $250 prize, an Ironmatik ironing board and a Bernina sewing machine complete with the trolley carrier!

After the panel discussion, Marcia Rafig announced the Atlanta Quilt Festival’s Best of Show winner to a packed house. The winners are: 3rd place “Into the Vortex” by Melinda Rushing, 2d place “Open Your Eyes” by Carolyn White and Best of Show “Friends” by Mona Haygood. Attendees were able to see the winning quilt in person and ask Mona questions after the program.


The Best of Show event was an exciting way to close the 2024 Atlanta Quilt Festival. It was a good day for the African American quilting community. I hope we will be back at the High Museum next year.

Mona answers questions from her adoring fans.

P.S. Baby Addison was there to add to her knowledge of the art of quilting. She is 2 months old, and it was her second trip to the High!❤️

Baby Addison at the High Museum for the Best of Show event.
Of course, Baby Addison had to bring Mom (India Kleeman) along.

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