In June 2008, while watching a history making event on television, Dr Joan Gaither found herself reflecting on the man on her screen standing before millions as he pleaded to the nation to be the change we are all looking for. Inspired by his success, she began stitching a quilt that would one day take us along the long yet triumphant political journey of a young man starting from Honolulu Hawaii and culminating at the steps of the White House less than six months later as the 45th President of the United States.
That man.....Barack Obama.
That quilt.....Journey to the White House.
On display at Banneker Douglas Museum in Maryland for an extended stay due to high demand until September 2009, the quilt affectionately titled and nicknamed JTWH2, is the creation of one woman and the inspiration of a whole community. " I decided this is one of those stories that needs to be told," stated Dr Gaither. " That will allow me to tell the total journey". And so she did.
From the ancestral enslavement of thousands from Africa onto the shores of South Carolina, to a rise as a people into history books of America, Dr Gaithers quilt reflects not only one mans road to glory, but a journey of a people as well.
Chronicling Baracks life story and filled with both symbolic and literal reflections displayed through photographic images, assorted fabrics, meaningful color coding, and carefully selected adornments, JTWH2 is more than a themed quilt, it is a labor of love complete with the full range of emotions uniting us all with each and every stitch.
Like many artists, crafters and quilters, Dr. Gaither expressed how her process is reflective and requires interaction with the selections of fiber types, textures, color, mixed medias, and objects of embellishment to be a true expression of the source of creation that resides in all of us.
In celebration of Dr Gaithers profound and priceless quilt creation, as well as the unique creations of quilters everywhere, J&O offers a bountiful array of cotton novelty prints and patterns to match your personal tastes and individual needs.
Whether you are telling someone elses story or simply sharing your own, we can all be inspired by Joans work and one another.