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Free family friendly event, including tours, an open studio for art-making, demonstrations from local artists, and family quilt documentation.
Quilt Documentation and Free Community Day
Sunday, November 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Visitors are invited to enjoy a Free Community Day with gallery tours, drop-in art-making at the Open Studio, and an opportunity to celebrate, preserve, and explore local quilting history. The African American Quilt Documentation Study Group will be on site to document visitors’ family quilts, creating a permanent record that helps historians and researchers better understand their social and cultural significance. Local quilters and textile artists will be creating work in real time across the museum's mezzanine, inviting visitors to learn more about the process. Enjoy festival fall treats at the Museum Cafe.
About the documentation project: The African American Quilt Documentation Study Group (AAQDSG) is hosting an African American Quilt Documentation Event from 10am – 4pm within NMWA's Free Community Day. are invited to bring their family quilt, regardless of condition, to be examined, photographed, and recorded in the national African American Quilt Registry. Free; advance registration required to participate in the quilt documentation and available time slots are limited. All are welcome to observe and learn about the process. More from the AAQDSG: Quilt documentation to preserve quilt and family history has been around since the 1980s. African American quilts have historically been underrepresented or excluded from this process, with record only in oral history. AAQDSG was founded to begin rectifying this part of our quilt history. By documenting your quilt you are adding to the historical records that help scholars, museums, and researchers to understand the social and cultural significance of our African American quilts, and, you are honoring your ancestors and documenting a part of your family’s legacy for future generations. Bring your quilt in whatever condition it's in. Quilt will be photographed and documented and you can share the story behind it.
Open Studio: Join NMWA educators in the museum’s studio on the 4th floor from 10 am to 4 pm for free, self-directed, drop-in art-making activities inspired by artworks on view. Activities and inspirations change each month. Visitors of all ages are invited to participate. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Collection Highlights Tour: Explore the museum’s collection during these engaging 45-minute drop-in tours at 11 am and 2 pm. These guided experiences feature six to eight works on view, highlighting the creative contributions of artists from the 16th century to today. Meet in the Great Hall.
Library and Research Center: Browse the reading room, which holds an extensive collection of books. Whether you’re an avid researcher, a student, or simply curious, our welcoming space offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Stop by from 10 am to 4 pm and explore the stories, works, and legacies of women and nonbinary artists from around the globe!
Museum Cafe: Enjoy festival fall treats at the Museum Cafe. Decorate your own mini pumpkin.
Exhibitions on View
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1250 New York Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20005
United States
