Exhibitions
GEE'S BEND NOW
Tipton-Ashe Gallery (ETSU) / 401 Ashe St., Johnson City, TN September 2 - 25th
Emma Mooney Pettway, Caster Pettway, LaShan Lewis, Polly Middleton, Lakarian Pettway, Sharon Williams, Aundra McCoy, Karlota Contreras-Koterbay
The ETSU Department of Art & Design and Slocumb Galleries in partnership with Black American Studies, Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies, Robertson Center, Reece Museum, UMOJA and ETSU Student Activities Allocations Committee (SAAC) proudly present Gee’s Bend Now from September 2 to 25, 2026 at the Tipton-Ashe Galleries. The public is invited to meet artists Emma Mooney Pettway and daughter Lakarian Pettway as they conduct the Quilt Demo & Workshop on September 19, Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m., with gallery talks starting at 1pm.
The Gee’s Bend is a Black community of quilters with distinct geometric, innovative style located at one of the river bends of Alabama. Historically, formerly enslaved communities have been geographically and culturally isolated, yet, their creative souls have triumphed over almost a century of systemic racism, disconnection and poverty. Their resilience, borne out of necessity, nurtured by aesthetic sensibilities influenced by ancestral ties and creative resourcefulness have allowed them to endure and to thrive. During the 2000s, their collective practice has received national and international recognitions with museum collections and corporate partnerships as proof of their achievements. Decades moving forward, the third and fourth generation quilters continue to create colorful and innovative designs in fiber inspired by their maternal influences, continuing to create distinct patterns of their own imaginings. One of the community pillars, Gee’s Bend quilters Ms. Emma Mooney Pettway and daughter Lakarian Pettway will visit Johnson City during the opening reception and conduct a demo/workshop. Ms. Emma describes the joy, peace, purpose and inspiration brought by her creative practice. She shares her process starting a “quilt without a specific design in mind,” she adds, after “gathering the fabric pieces and begin arranging colors and patterns, each quilt naturally takes on a life of its own… every piece becomes a one-of-a-kind work of art that reflects my creativity, heritage, and spirit.” In parallel, Gee’s Bend and Appalachia and similar experiences of isolation, yet both have nurtured amazing creative spirits in their communities and members. Featured artists are Gee’s Bend Quilters Emma Mooney Pettway, Caster Pettway, LaShan Lewis, Polly Middleton, Lakarian Pettway and Sharon Williams.
The exhibition and public engagement activities are supported by the Tennessee Arts Commission, Bravissima! Women Sponsoring the Arts and Arts Fund from East Tennessee Foundation. All events are open to the public, free of charge but workshops require pre-registration due to limited number of seating.
The Tipton-Ashe Gallery is located at 401 Ashe St, former Courthouse on the Walnut side, Downtown Johson City. August viewing hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11am to 3 pm, Fridays 3 to 7pm, with extended hours during receptions and by appointment. For more information or to reserve a workshop spot, email exhibition co-curator Karlota Contreras-Koterbay via contrera@etsu.edu or text 423.483.3179 to receive the registration information.
