Cathy Williams wanted to serve in the ranks of the all-black Buffalo soldiers, but was not allowed to do so because of her gender.
So she disguised herself as a man and joined the army as William Cathay. She served for two years before being found out.
Her story was just many of the ones I saw when I visited the “Black Pioneers” art quilt exhibit in St. Petersburg, FL. It was a very interesting exhibit, curated by noted black historian, Dr. Caryolyn Mazaloomi. As you might expect, I was very unfamiliar with most of the people and events depicted. Thankfully, the artists’ statements filled me in.
Artist Rosy Petri depicted Thomas C. Fleming, America’s longest serving black journalist.
Tierney Davis Hogan depcited another black writer: poet Langston Hughes.
Some quilts had a very folksy quality, like Trail Blazers, by Marion Coleman. Her quilt depicts a time when 25% of all American cowboys were African-American.
Other quilts were very realistic and sophisticated. Carolyn Crump was especially good at this. Here is her piece, Game Changer. It depicts Lt. Charles Young, who served in the Utah frontier.
I hope you can see that this quilt has several 3D aspects.
And here’s Stagecoach Mary, made by Dorothy Burge. Mary Fields (her real name) was a Wild West Legend because she was the first black woman to deliver mail by stagecoach. She was known for her speed, her marksmanship, and her hard drinking.
This was probably my favorite quilt in the exhibit. I love the way Burge has made the quilt in the shape of the person.
Men of Valor – Sergeant Benjamin Brown and Corporal Isaiah Mays was made by Tomasita Louviere-Ligons. It features these two frontiersmen who served “above and beyond” in Arizona Territory, earning each of them a Medal of Honor.
Although most of the quilts depicted people, several focused on events. Carolyn Crump’s The Truth Hurts: Riches, Resentment, Revenge, RIOTS speaks to the anger and resentment of white Tulsa citizens which casued them to massacre a group of prosperous blacks who lived across the railroad tracks.
Again, she has emphasized her message with 3D areas.
Viola Burley Leak’s piece, Watts Riot, depicts not only the chaos of the riot, but also some of the underlying issues that led to it.
There are about 50 quilts in this exhibit, so my photos have just scratched the surface. “Black Pioneers” will be on display through January 8th, 2023 at the James Museum, in St. Pete. There’s also some other wonderful art in this museum. It’s well worth the visit.
Ellen Lindner
