And Still We Rise: Race, Culture, and Visual Conversations

Long Ellis Foundation Gallery & Dolph Simons Family Gallery

The national touring exhibition And Still We Rise: Race, Culture, and Visual Conversations offers an evocative depiction of nearly four centuries of African American history through the powerful medium of narrative quilts. And Still We Rise explores key events and pressing social issues through hand‐crafted quilts in a female‐dominated art medium, allowing the works to bear witness to perspectives that written history has often neglected. This touring exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to experience vibrant works from across the United States that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit within African American culture.

And Still We Rise is developed by the Cincinnati Museum Center and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and is curated by Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi. The Spencer Museum is the only venue in this region to host the exhibition, and we will offer an array of educational programs that weave together the artistic and historical elements of story quilts.

Principal funding for this program is provided by the Kansas Humanities Council, a nonprofit cultural organization connecting communities with history, traditions, and ideas to strengthen civic life. Additional support comes from the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission, the City of Lawrence, KU Student Senate, the Jedel Family Foundation, Women Philanthropists for KU, the Kaw Valley Quilters Guild, and the National Endowment for the Arts.


Selected images