Marla A. Jackson is My Hero

      Growing up in Chicago, I was exposed to many African American ("AA") institutions from businesses to publishing companies to community organizations. Margaret Burrough’s DuSable Museum, along with the Southside Community Art Center were two of the few arts institutions begun and maintained by for and about people of color. I never had an opportunity to meet Margaret Burroughs, though her art and political activism were tremendous influences on how I have chosen to live my life.

     You can imagine the great pleasure I have taken in establishing a relationship with Marla Jackson, albeit not in person but, over the internet. Marla is the 21^st century equivalent of Burroughs. A human dynamo. A nationally and internationally known fiber artist, who works in quilting, Marla has established both a museum dedicated to AA fiber arts and a national convention. All of this not in a major urban center with the type of platform and support Burroughs had, but in Lawrence, KS.

Faith Ringgold 

     The museum is community based and of contemporary and historical importance. The convention Marla has put together is off the charts. Faith Ringgold is the keynote speaker. Yes, that Faith Ringgold in Lawrence, KS giving the keynote address at the first National African American Quilt Convention. It just goes on from there. Forgive me I name drop for a while. Exhibitors include “And Still I Rise,” curated by and including the work of Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, Faith Ringgold  (no such thing as too much Faith), Marla herself, Viola Burley Leak, ‘Sonie Ruffin, Marvin Crum, Sherry Whetstone, Aisha Lumumba, Patricia Montgomery, Maria Rodgers Marti, Sonji Hunt, Lola Jenkins, Sara Bunin, Bisa Butler, Dawn Williams Boyd, Lula Horn Young, Valerie Scruggs Goodwin, Carole Harris, Alice Beasley, Hollis Chatelain, Valerie White and quilts from the Gee’s Bend Quilters. If you are not familiar with these artists and their work, and you should be, head over to Google for a visual treat.

Sharon Kerry-Harlan, Untitled, 2012

       The exhibitions would be enough, but this is a convention. Marla has also scheduled lectures beginning once again with Faith Ringgold and continuing with other stars of the AA quilting community including Dr. Daniel Atkinson, Marla Jackson and Carol Bohl, Denise Valentine, Phyllis Lawson and Myrah Brown Green (Myrah’s name spelled out her destiny as a visual artist).

Basquiat Mono, Bisa Butler, 2015 

      Marla could have stopped there because now the question becomes how do I take in all of this stimulation. But no, there are also classes to attend. Lola Jenkins along with Sandra Johnson, Aisha Lumumba, Lori Triplett, Rachel Clark, Bisa Butler, Jan Hollins Renee Fleuranger Valdez, Sherry Whetstone, and Patricia Sehar Peerzah will be conducting a variety of workshops.

Tale of Two Campuses,
Valerie Scruggs Goodwin 

You will want to begin familiarizing yourself with Marla and her mission of bringing the rich and broad depth of talent in the AA quilting and surface design community to the world by visiting the museum website Marla Quilts Inc. African American Museum and Textile Academy. The Museum is located at 2000 Haskell Avenue, Suite 206, Lawrence, KS 66046. Contact info: telephone 785-371-6682. 

       The convention is being held July 12th through July 15th, 2017 in Lawrence, KS, USA. Registration for classes is now open. Visit the website for further information. Margaret Burroughs left a tremendous legacy and created a pathway for progressive, creative women to follow. I am so glad that Marla has accepted and is fulfilling the challenge Margaret left. Marla is definitely a hero of mine. The takeaway from this post is to gain inspiration. We too can create institutions that add to the creative, spiritual and emotional growth and support of our communities. If we don't create them we can surely support those institutions created by our heroes.