In conjunction with Quilt National 2023, the Canton Museum of Art presents Stitched Together: A Visual Patchwork from the CMA Collection, a salon style display of works from our Permanent Collection in similar fashion to a quilt, telling various stories and paying tribute to quilting. 

Throughout history, people have relied on the art of quilting for many reasons. Quilts were initially created out of necessity for their ability to provide warmth. Over time, they became much more decorative, exemplifying impressive artistry and skill as well as storytelling. Many quilts use symbols and images to represent something which, combined, tell an overarching story which the viewer must decode. The beauty of storytelling through quilting is that every piece and stitch matter, and every quilt is indeed a sum of its parts, not unlike life itself. 

Just as each patch in a quilt is stitched together to form a single blanket, each artwork in this exhibition will be “stitched” together salon style, mimicking the patches of a quilt, to fill entire walls from floor to ceiling. As one piece of the overall puzzle, each work helps tell the overarching story of each theme represented, based on themes traditionally found in the storytelling of quilts. 

Stitched Together will combine works of various colors, imagery, and mediums into a patchwork design that celebrates and commemorates the history of quiltmaking and the stories within the collection. This exhibit will allow viewers a chance to view works from the collection in a brand new way, allow for a visually unique storytelling experience, and pay homage to an art form that is rooted in American tradition. Celebrate quilting and artwork, and sit with the stories, letting them speak to you. After all, like a patch in a quilt, each person’s collection of stories makes up their life based on the experiences and emotions shaping the journey.

To view all of the artwork in Stitched Together, click here.

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Pictured above:

Top row (left to right): 

The Children's Pet, n.d. Johann Georg Meyer Von Bremen (German, 1813-1886). Oil on canvas, 19 1/2 x 16 in.

Canton Museum of Art Permanent Collection, Gift of Miss Minnie Janson. 

In the Garden, n.d. Romare Bearden (American, 1911-1988). Lithograph on paper, 22 x 16 in. Canton Museum of Art Permanent Collection, Gift of Dr. Julius Stone. 

Log Milk House, n.d. Martha L. Burlingham (American, 1889-1981). Watercolor on paper, 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. Canton Museum of Art

Permanent Collection, Gift of Janet K. Seymour and Bette Elliot. 

Sewing, Central Park, c. 1915-20. Edward H. Potthast (American, 1857-1927). Crayon on bristol board, 11 x 15 in. Canton Museum of Art

Permanent Collection, from the James C. and Barbara J. Koppe Collection. 

Bottom row (left to right): 

Mujeres Con Nino En La Puerta, 1977. Francisco Zunigo (Costa Rican, 1912-1998). Lithograph on paper, 31 5/8 x 23 1/2 in. Canton Museum of Art Permanent Collection, Gift of Mr. Ralph L. Wilson. 

When School is Out, 1895. Henry M. Carlander (American, 1862 - ?). Oil on canvas, 22 x 36 in. Canton Museum of Art Permanent Collection, Gift of Edward A. Mahoney.

Mother and Child, 1945. Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012). Lithograph on paper, 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. Canton Museum of Art Permanent Collection, Gift of Louis Held. 

Last of the Whitleys, n.d. Elmer L. Novotny (American, 1909-1997). Oil on masonite, 29 1/2 x 35 1/2 in. Canton Museum of Art Permanent Collection, Gift of the artist. 

You can view the entire CMA collection here.