PBS "Craft in America: Quilts" - a thoughtful review

It is always great to see a credible media outlet such as PBS pay attention to quilts, and their most recent documentary, "Craft in America: Quilts" is a worthy effort.

However, in the same breath its hard to see why quilts and quilters are not featured more often given how prevelant the art form is and frankly, how many millions of people make quilts. But I think all fine arts and performing arts could say the same thing --- it is hard to get people to pay attention!

So how did PBS do? Well, given how few minutes we quilters get on the national stage, I will have to say that this show is recommended. There are quite a few highlights that make it watchable. First of all, the decision to feature Victoria Findlay Wolfe and Judith Content were good choices. Victoria is on the East Coast, Judith the West.

And before either of these well-known artists appear, the show spends a good deal of time on Native American quilts. In particular, they interview and feature the work of Navajo/Dine artist Susan Hudson who was unknown to me and I assume unknown to many in the quilt community. She lives in New Mexico and she looks like someone I would love to spend the day with! She was knowledgeable and passionate I liked her approach. Her quilts were beautiful and she seems like a wonderful storyteller.

Susan Hudson

After Susan's interview, the documentary team spends way too many minutes featuring a Native American weaver. I get that this is a critically important part of Native culture, but in a short tv show about quilts, every minute is precious. I feel strongly that this time could have been better spent showing other diverse quilters and quilting groups in America.

For example, there was no mention of the modern quilt movement and/or the attraction of younger quilters to the art form and I feel it was a mis-step to overlook this new and important contribution.

In between the quilter sections, the show returned repeatedly to the International Quilt Musuem in Lincoln, Nebraska, as well they should. Leslie Levy, Executive Director, and Carolyn Ducey, Curator, did a fabulous job - as they always do. The Ken Burns Collection exhibition was featured several times and Ken was interviewed as well. His words added significant weight to the meaning of quilts and why we make them.

Outside of Lincoln, other important milestones that were overlooked are the number of dedicated, non-profit quilt museums in the U.S. They mentioned San Jose, but some time spent on this could have added more meat to the story. The fact that there are unique, decicated museums all over the country backs up the data on the importance of quilting and its economic and artistic contributions.

Another data point that was overlooked - but one that would have been fascinating - is how prevelant quilting is on social media. Again, this popularity speaks to its sustainablity as a hobby, art form, and profession.

Micheal Cummings

Of course "Craft in America" featured men as well as women. Michael Cummings is an artist who I have heard of, but I never really knew much about him. His quilts are very unconventional and I would love the chance to see them in person one day.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe

The section on Victoria Findlay Wolfe shows her in her studio and is a good illustration of how a quilter works much like a painter. They also followed her to one of her lectures and showed how people responded to her work, and they showed her longarm machine. The backstory of her family and her grandmother were precious.

Judith Content's section was equally well done. Judith makes strikingly original art quilts from silk fabric she hand dyes using a shibori method. Be sure to watch her interview and studio shots! You will be amazed.

Judith Content

The documentary has a very strange ending. It just kind of ends and then goes to a commercial. I wasn't sure it it was over or not... maybe this was a local edit? If not, then PBS, I think you could have wrapped this story up a bit better than that.

Overall though, here's what I have to say to PBS. Thanks for making this show and spending time and effort on this art form we all love. While we quilters already know and live the things you said and showed, it was wonderful to see you share our story with the rest of the PBS audience.

Here is the link to the show's website which has much more information, links and even some tutorials.

Images coutesy of Craft in America website.