Stamps and quilts celebrate Black history through artful representation

By Adrienne Miller

In celebration of Black History Month, the Laney College library is exhibiting a collection of handmade quilts by the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland through the end of March.

The quilts are on display in the atrium of the library with quilts hanging in glass display cases on the main floor and hanging from the railing on the second floor.

Over 20 quilts are on display, each handmade by a different woman from the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland.

Each woman spent the previous year stitching a quilt for the Laney exhibition, which is one of their annual events.

The vibrant and elaborately designed quilts depict a wide range of images and graphic designs. The quilts celebrate African American heritage and various aspects of African American history.

“The vibrant and elaborately designed quilts depict a wide range of images and graphic designs.”

The African American Quilt Guild of Oakland (AAQGO) is a publically support organization whose mission includes the following:

To preserve and continue the tradition of quilting;

To promote fellowship among interested persons in all aspects of quilting;

To contribute to the knowledge and appreciation of fine quilting and quilts;

To sponsor and support quilting activities through regular meetings and special events with the community.

AAQGO was founded in June 2000, by Esther Pancho, quilter and teacher.

AAQGO meets the 4th Saturday of every month at 1pm (except for December) at the West Oakland Library at 1801 Adeline Street in Oakland.

Also on exhibition at the Laney Library is the personal collection of US postage stamps from Laney librarian Shirley Coaston.

Ms. Coaston has an extensive collection of stamps of famous African Americans, from African-American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman, Frederick Douglass to American poet, social activist, novelist, and playwright, Langston Hughes.

The postage stamp collection is located directly in front of the main entrance to the library and is displayed in glass cases.

Adrienne Miller is a Tower Staff Writer and Photographer.