[Archived] Free Film: The Quiltmakers Of Gee's Bend

Free Film Screening on Monday, September 30, 2013 at the Alexandria Black History Museum

The Alexandria Black History Museum will host a free screening of the The Quiltmakers Of Gee's Bend, on Monday, September 30, 2013 at 7 p.m., followed by a discussion with Metro Stage Producing Artist Director, Carolyn Griffith and special guests, facilitated by Film Programmer Sydney-Chanele Dawkins. The event is free and open to the public. The film is 60 minutes long, followed by the discussion.

The Quiltmakers Of Gee's Bend is an uplifting, award-winning documentary that tells the modern-day "Cinderella" story of the quiltmakers of Gee's Bend, Alabama. Director Celia Carey documents the lives of a group of African-American women from Alabama's Black Belt region, who see their lives radically changed as their artwork is suddenly recognized and embraced by the elite American museum world. The artists, primarily women born into extreme poverty, are descended from slaves and they still inhabit the land their forefathers once worked.

Hailed by New York Times art critic, Michael Kimmelman, as "some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced,” the film explores the extraordinary lives, inspirations, and history of the quiltmakers, and follows them on a poignant and journey to see their work exhibited in a major art museum.

This film event is companion piece to Metro Stage’s Gee's Bend production currently playing until November 3, 2013.

The Alexandria Black History Museum is located at 902 Wythe Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, in the Parker-Gray Historic District. The Museum is five blocks from the Braddock Road Metro Station on the Yellow or Blue lines. Street parking is available. To make reservations, call the Museum at 703.746.4356. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org . Patrons needing special accommodations are asked to contact the Museum (703.746.4356) two weeks in advance of the scheduled event.