BEDFORD gallery



Bedford Gallery, a program of the City of Walnut Creek, also receives substantial support from the Diablo Regional Arts Association.	current exhibitions Untold Stories: Early American Quilts from the Collection of Susan Brooks September 13 - November 23, 2008 The art of quilting has deep roots in America. No other form of needle art has been so thoroughly employed to narrate the birth and history of this country and the lives of its citizens. Untold Stories: Early American Quilts from the Collection of Susan Brooks, presents 40 quilts from the 18th and 19th century that were created during some of the most momentous and significant eras of U.S. history. Stitched by resilient and courageous women struggling to survive, the quilts chronicle the slave era and Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the Mormon and Oregon Trails, the Northeast whaling community, and Temperance Movement. Metaphorically, quilts are like historic documents that hold and preserve the memories of loved ones. For me, the quilts in Untold Stories are like community-made catchment basins, where life experiences have been captured onto a stitched surface. Infused with meaning, quilt patterns are a universal language that hold messages imbedded into the quilt block motifs. Over the centuries these unique patterns have been developed, socialized, and passed-on from generation to generation. From the Civil War’s patriotic Eight Point Star and the covert Underground Railroad, to the Oregon trail’s iconic Covered Wagon, quilt patterns—graphic, lively and colorful—were used to portray politics, history, and to share family stories of birth, love, loss, and death. I would like to thank Susan Brooks for lending her extraordinary collection of quilts to the Bedford Gallery for this significant and beautiful exhibition. And I want to thank Frances Wallace, our Gallery Guild Chair, for connecting us to Susan. Many thanks to both Susan and Frances for their tireless effort in helping to organize Untold Stories—from its inception to installation. On behalf of all of us here at the Bedford Gallery and City of Walnut Creek, I would like to thank the Diablo Regional Arts Association—our presenting sponsor for this exhibition—for their continued and generous support of the Bedford Gallery’s visual art program. Carrie Lederer, Curator of Exhibitions and Programs. school tours Group tours are available by appointment for $45 for adult groups with fewer than 15 people, $70 for adult groups up to 30, or $85 for school tours. Tour fees include gallery admission. Tours for children's groups/classrooms include an age-appropriate art project following the tour. Theme of School Tour: Learn how quilt patterns throughout American history have told the stories of settlers, soldiers, slaves, and pioneers. School Tour Art Project: Tell your own story by designing a unique quilt pattern with geometric shapes. Please click here for more information about booking a school or adult tour. special events VIP Opening Reception Friday, September 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Admission: $25 A special sneak preview of this remarkable collection of quilts, includes an informal walkthrough with collector Susan Brooks, wine, hors d'oeuvres, and live music. Be the first to purchase a part of history - many antique quilts and quilt blocks will be for sale. Free for LCA members, Friends of the Bedford, members of DRAA. RSVP required. Bg Art Morning Wednesday, October 15, 10:00 a.m. Admission: $7 Join us for coffee, pastries, and a talk with the owner of this collection, Susan Brooks. Space is limited and reservations are required. Please call 925/295-1423. Family Day Sunday, October 19, Noon - 3:00 p.m. Free! Bring your family to see quilting machine demonstrations, participate in creating a community quilt, and enjoy live entertainment and refreshments. Films in the Learning Center about Gee's Bend quilters and Hearts and Hands by Pat Ferrero. Bg Craft Fest Saturday, November 15, Noon - 5:00 p.m. Free! An invitational craft sale featuring some of the coolest new crafters from the East Bay and beyond. An extravaganza of handmade items, perfect for gift-giving season. Quilts Tell Stories Thursday, November 20, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Admission: $7 Unpack your family heirlooms and bring them to the Bedford Gallery to tell your quilt story and learn more about your quilt's patterns and fabrics from expert Inez Brooks Myers, Curator, Oakland Museum of California. RSVP required. BEDFORD gallery 1601 civic drive walnut creek, ca 94596 925/295-1417 contact us

Bedford Gallery, a program of the City of Walnut Creek, also receives substantial support from the Diablo Regional Arts Association.

current exhibitions

Untold Stories: Early American Quilts from the Collection of Susan Brooks
September 13 - November 23, 2008

The art of quilting has deep roots in America. No other form of needle art has been so thoroughly employed to narrate the birth and history of this country and the lives of its citizens. Untold Stories: Early American Quilts from the Collection of Susan Brooks, presents 40 quilts from the 18th and 19th century that were created during some of the most momentous and significant eras of U.S. history. Stitched by resilient and courageous women struggling to survive, the quilts chronicle the slave era and Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the Mormon and Oregon Trails, the Northeast whaling community, and Temperance Movement.

Metaphorically, quilts are like historic documents that hold and preserve the memories of loved ones. For me, the quilts in Untold Stories are like community-made catchment basins, where life experiences have been captured onto a stitched surface. Infused with meaning, quilt patterns are a universal language that hold messages imbedded into the quilt block motifs. Over the centuries these unique patterns have been developed, socialized, and passed-on from generation to generation. From the Civil War’s patriotic Eight Point Star and the covert Underground Railroad, to the Oregon trail’s iconic Covered Wagon, quilt patterns—graphic, lively and colorful—were used to portray politics, history, and to share family stories of birth, love, loss, and death.

I would like to thank Susan Brooks for lending her extraordinary collection of quilts to the Bedford Gallery for this significant and beautiful exhibition. And I want to thank Frances Wallace, our Gallery Guild Chair, for connecting us to Susan. Many thanks to both Susan and Frances for their tireless effort in helping to organize Untold Stories—from its inception to installation.

On behalf of all of us here at the Bedford Gallery and City of Walnut Creek, I would like to thank the Diablo Regional Arts Association—our presenting sponsor for this exhibition—for their continued and generous support of the Bedford Gallery’s visual art program.

Carrie Lederer, Curator of Exhibitions and Programs.

school tours

Group tours are available by appointment for $45 for adult groups with fewer than 15 people, $70 for adult groups up to 30, or $85 for school tours. Tour fees include gallery admission. Tours for children's groups/classrooms include an age-appropriate art project following the tour.

Theme of School Tour: Learn how quilt patterns throughout American history have told the stories of settlers, soldiers, slaves, and pioneers.
School Tour Art Project: Tell your own story by designing a unique quilt pattern with geometric shapes.

Please click here for more information about booking a school or adult tour.

special events

VIP Opening Reception
Friday, September 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m.   Admission: $25

A special sneak preview of this remarkable collection of quilts, includes an informal walkthrough with collector Susan Brooks, wine, hors d'oeuvres, and live music. Be the first to purchase a part of history - many antique quilts and quilt blocks will be for sale.

Free for LCA members, Friends of the Bedford, members of DRAA.

RSVP required.

Bg Art Morning
Wednesday, October 15, 10:00 a.m.   Admission: $7

Join us for coffee, pastries, and a talk with the owner of this collection, Susan Brooks. Space is limited and reservations are required. Please call 925/295-1423.

Family Day
Sunday, October 19, Noon - 3:00 p.m.   Free!

Bring your family to see quilting machine demonstrations, participate in creating a community quilt, and enjoy live entertainment and refreshments. Films in the Learning Center about Gee's Bend quilters and Hearts and Hands by Pat Ferrero.

Bg Craft Fest
Saturday, November 15, Noon - 5:00 p.m.   Free!

An invitational craft sale featuring some of the coolest new crafters from the East Bay and beyond. An extravaganza of handmade items, perfect for gift-giving season.

Quilts Tell Stories
Thursday, November 20, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.   Admission: $7

Unpack your family heirlooms and bring them to the Bedford Gallery to tell your quilt story and learn more about your quilt's patterns and fabrics from expert Inez Brooks Myers, Curator, Oakland Museum of California. RSVP required.

BEDFORD gallery 1601 civic drive walnut creek, ca 94596 925/295-1417 contact us