My quilt Delta Menopause has been acquired by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA for their permanent collection. It is a part of a four quilt acquisition which included my donation of Purses of Plenty.
Delta Menopause is one of my early quilts and has been in my collection since 2004. Tisha Smith curated it into my Long Time Coming: A Retrospective of O.V. Brantley’s Red and White Quilts exhibit which premiered at the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum and Conference Center in Atlanta, GA in 2022. The exhibit later traveled to the 2023 International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX where it was warmly received.
My quilts tend to be autobiographical, and Delta Menopause is no exception. My entire red and white quilt collection was inspired by the colors of my sorority Delta Sigma Theta (crimson and cream). Delta Sigma Theta is always close to my heart because in 1974 I was part of an amazing group of women who chartered the Lambda Theta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. It was the=e first African American Greek organization on campus. 50 years later it is still thriving.
It is also no accident that the quilt features a traditional fan block and that it is hand quilted. When I was going through that special time in my life (menopause), I would sit in my rocking chair with Delta Menopause in my hoop. I would quilt a while and fan a while 😂. I am happy to report that we made it through.
I am thrilled and honored that Delta Menopause will have a loving permanent home so that future generations can enjoy her. I think all women of a certain age will identify with and enjoy her message.
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