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Ms. Cecelia Tapplette Pedescleaux, an
award winning quilter, honored us with her presence and expertise
December 12th, 2000. Mrs Gerdes, her cousin, arranged for this
unique opportunity in conjunction with third grade's unit on quilting.
Ms. Cely expounded upon a variety of patterns with African-American
symbols and their meanings which she uses in her quilts as she
related her passion for this art form with the 2nd and 3rd graders.
Ms. Cely related that much research goes
into her quilt making. Having done extensive research, she sometimes
finds connections in unusual places i.e. cookbooks, winemaking,
agricultural, and sometimes architectural books that have slave
documentations. Litary works have often been a source of her quilting
inspiration. Sometimes, a story such as Sweet Clara and The Freedom
Quilt, motivated her to create a quilt such as the one used in
that story.
Her visit touched us. Enthusiastically
she began to instruct Ms. Bergman's third grade class in the rudiments
of making quilt squares. Students still continue working with
their squares as an appreciatiion for the skill and dedecation
of this unique woman grow.
Ms. Cely's creations can be seen at the
Inspirations exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp
Street) January 26-February 28th. The exhibit is sponsored by
Southeastern University of New Orleans and the Contemporary Arts
Center in celebration of African and African-American art and
artists.
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