About the Women of Color Quilters Network

The Women of Color Quilters Network is a non-profit (IRC 501(c)(3)) organization founded in 1985 by Carolyn L. Mazloomi, a nationally acclaimed quilt artist and lecturer, to foster and preserve the art of quiltmaking among women of color.

It supports its 1700 members‚ through presenting, providing venues for sharing technical information, grantwriting, and other services.  It offers quilts and fiber art to museums for exhibition, and researches and documents African American quiltmaking. In recent years, the Network has showcased the work of its members before national and international audiences.  Mazloomi’s book Spirits of the Cloth: Contemporary African American Quilts (Clarkson and Potter, 1998) showcased 150 quilts by 60 artists.  The full-color book inspired a traveling exhibit, "Spirits of the Cloth" which originated at the American Craft Museum in New York City in the summer of 1999. The exhibit will visit the Smithsonian Institution and venues in Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Indiana through 2002.

An important component of the Network's activity is its use of quiltmaking in social and economic development projects.  Educational projects and workshops foster exposure to the arts, creative development, and improved self-esteem.  These programs present the benefits of quilting to audiences of all ages, income levels, ethnic background and learning abilities.  Major Network community projects include:

The New York Founding Hospital:

Quiltmaking is taught to pregnant teens at the hospital.  At the end of each eight-to-ten period, toys will be made by each participant.  One toy will be given to the mother’s child at birth, and one will be given to an outpatient in a special ward for chronically or terminally ill children.

Toys for Kids:
A Celebration of Giving:

The Network co-sponsored, along with Partners in Giving, a family workshop at the American Craft Museum, in which families made more than 200 stuffed animals for children staying at the Ronald McDonald House.  Toys from this project were also donated to the Bronx Children’s Psychiatric Hospital and Cassidy's Place.

Friends For the Arts
Mentoring Program:

The Network has been involved in this program in 1988.  Children are mentored and taught quiltmaking by Network members.  Sales of their quilts and hand painted silk scarves are used sponsor projects such as a summer art camps,  museum trips, and academic scholarships.

Buy the book:
Spirits of the Cloth:
Contemporary African American Quilts
by Carolyn Mazloomi
on Amazon.com

For More Information Contact:

Women Of Color Quilters Network
c/o Carolyn Mazloomi, Director
5481 Oldgate Dr.
West Chester, OH 45069

Tel: 513-755-3414
FAX: 513-755-0714
Internet: carolyn@carolynlmazloomi.com

Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi is available for lectures and exhibitions.You may contact her through e-mail at the above address.