Purses of Plenty Acquired By High Museum of Art

Purses of Plenty, 54 X 62 inch red and white applique quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2019. Inspired by Linda Lum DeBono pattern. Machine quilted by Maxine Moore.

My quilt Purses of Plenty has been acquired by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA for their permanent collection. I donated it to the museum as part of a three quilt acquisition.

Purses of Plenty at the International Quilt Festival

After making her public debut at the 2022 Atlanta Quilt Festival, Purses of Plenty was curated into my Long Time Coming: A Retrospective of O.V. Brantley’s Red and White Quilts exhibit. The exhibit which was curated by Tisha Smith, premiered in Atlanta, GA at the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum and Cultural Center and later traveled to the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX where it was warmly received.

Purses of Plenty exhibits at the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum and Conference Center.

Purses of Plenty features different red fabrics, many of which were collected during my travels. African, Chinese, Indian, batiks and domestic fabrics all found a place in my quilt as well as cute buttons and cowrie shells. A pattern by Linda Lum DeBono inspired the quilt and my friend Maxine Moore quilted it on her long arm.

Quilting pattern and button detail.

I am thrilled and honored that Purses of Plenty will have a loving permanent home so that future generations can enjoy her. Although it is a simple quilt, for me it packs a powerful message — economic security is an important ingredient to a happy and joyful life.

Purses of Plenty was part of my exhibit “Long Time Coming: A Retrospective of O.V. Brantley’s Red and White Quilts” which premiered at the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum and Conference Center. Curated by Tisha Smith,