Legislators discover Alabama Black Belt's hidden treasures: Quilts, art and history in Camden

The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association coordinated a trip for female members of the Alabama Legislature to experience the third annual Airing of the Quilts and visit the Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center in Camden.

Five legislators, all House members – Marilyn Lands of Huntsville; Tashina Morris of Montgomery, and three members of the Baldwin County delegation – Jennifer Fidler, Frances Holk-Jones and Donna Givens – took part in the Oct. 12 trip and all said the experience exposed them to the many tourism opportunities available in the Black Belt.

“If it’s not the top legislative adventure I’ve been on, it is certainly very, very close,” Holk-Jones said.

The third annual Gee’s Bend Airing of the Quilts festival celebrated the tradition of outdoor quilt displays in the historic Wilcox County community of Gee’s Bend while also giving festival goers the chance to visit and understand the unique rural community that produced internationally renowned African American quiltmakers. Their distinctive style of quilt patterns is easily recognizable and highly sought-after by individuals and clothing designers.

Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association Director Pam Swanner (far left) joins legislators, from left, Frances Holk-Jones, Marilyn Lands, Tashina Morris, Donna Givens and Jennifer Fidler with one of the displayed quilts at the third annual Airing of the Quilts. (Photo courtesy of Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association)

The trip, co-sponsored by the Alabama Association of RC & D Councils and Cosby Company, also featured a hands-on art class for the five legislators at the Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center in Camden.

Although Lands said she had never visited the heart of the Black Belt before, she came away impressed with the area’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

“I was truly overwhelmed by the beauty and the arts and the quilting festival at Gee’s Bend,” she said. “I really want to encourage people from around the state to visit the Black Belt, because if you haven’t been, you have no idea what a treat you’re in for. It is something every Alabamian should do.”

The five legislators also participated in a quilting workshop, which allowed them to spend time with and learn from Gee’s Bend quilters Doris Mosely, Mary Margaret Pettway and Annie Lou Square. The powerful, intimate experience clearly served as one of the day’s highlights, especially since all of the quilters trace their family history back at least four generations to the original quilters in Gee’s Bend.

“I love how they have taken their talents and they are sharing them with the world,” Givens said. “They’re very proud of what they can do and have done and love to share with you. It was just a wonderful experience. I’m so glad to have visited, and I know I’ll go back to the Airing of the Quilts and go back to visit everything we saw.”

Morris said she cherished learning the powerful and poignant history of Gee’s Bend and the quilters.

“I enjoyed learning the history behind Freedom Quilting Bee and how the festival began,” she said. “From the history to learning the basics of quilting was simply amazing. I would advise everyone in the State of Alabama to attend the festival and tour some of Black Belt’s hidden treasures. There were people from all over America enjoying the festival, and we as Alabamians should definitely experience this adventure.”

ALBBAA director Pam Swanner said the legislative adventure to Gee’s Bend and Black Belt Treasures Cultural Art Center was intended to expose the lawmakers to the wonderous tourism possibilities throughout the region.

“We thank the legislators for taking the time from their busy schedules to visit the Black Belt, and we hope they will spread the word about our amazing region to their family, friends and colleagues at the State House,” Swanner said.

The Legislators praised ALBBAA for the organization’s work in promoting tourism and outdoor recreation in the Black Belt’s 23-county footprint.

“I’m proud of the work y’all are doing to highlight beautiful parts of our state that are sometimes overlooked,” Fidler told Swanner. “Your work accents the slogan ‘Alabama The Beautiful’ and your work will keep Alabama beautiful. You are doing such great things for our state, and for that, I could not be more thankful and appreciative of the foresight of those legislators who have gone before us. Keep it up. We are behind you.”

The Black Belt includes the following 23 counties: Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox.