Interview with Valerie White, February 20, 2006

Partial Transcript: This is Kate Klienert and I'm here with Valerie White.

Segment Synopsis: Valerie White discusses her quilt "Turtles and Lion King." She describes the subject matter of the piece and her background as an African-American artist during the 1970s. White also describes the materials she used, stating that "Turtles and Lion King" features of variety of textures.

Keywords: African American quilters; African American quilts; Animals in art.; Art quilts.; Black art.; Black quilters; Black quiltmakers; Patchwork; Patchwork and quilting; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quiltmakers, African-American; Quiltmakers.; Quilts.; Textile painting.; Turtles and Lion King

Partial Transcript: And, when did you make it? You said you just finished it?

Segment Synopsis: White says that the subjects of "Turtles and Lion King" is about powerful beings being among the meek, but drinking from the same river. White talks about her African heritage in her work, making specific reference to African masks. She mentions that she chose this piece to talk about because she like its colorful, happy subject matter. White also states that this piece will be going to an art exhibition and is part of a series featuring other animals.

Keywords: African American quilters; African American quilts; Art quilts.; Black art.; Black quilters; Black quiltmakers; Masks, African; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quiltmakers, African-American; Quiltmakers.; Quilts.

Partial Transcript: Alright, can you tell me about your interest in quilt making?

Segment Synopsis: White discusses her early career in quilting, recounting that she has joined a quilt guild and was doing mainly embroidery. White states that when she later moved to Kentucky, she found her artistic voice and joined River City Fiber Artists. White says that she spends many hours quilting, often late into the night and early mornings, in her pajamas.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Embroidery.; Fiberwork.; Kentucky; Kentucky quilters; Kentucky quilts; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quiltmakers.; Quilts.; River City Fiber Artists; Silk ribbon embroidery; Textile crafts.; Textile painting.

Partial Transcript: What is your first quilt memory?

Segment Synopsis: White says that her grandmothers did scrap quilting, making utility quilts out of scrap materials. She describes her mother as a talented garment sewer who gave her a sewing machine. White also states that her children have always been incredibly supportive of her quilting, and they've kept the quilts White made for them. White recounts her daughter giving her cards with White's quilts printed on them for Christmas.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Garment sewing; Kentucky quilters; Kentucky quilts; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quiltmakers.; Quilts.; Scrap quilts

Partial Transcript: Have you ever used quilts to get through a difficult time?

Segment Synopsis: Whites says that she has used quilting to get through difficult times, recounting moving after her husband changed jobs and feeling fairly lonely. White describes her favorite and least favorite aspects of quilting, beginning with a quilt's color and texture as the most pleasing. White states that she does not enjoy some of the mundane aspects of quilting and recounts her past struggles with cutting fabric and basting quilts.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Basting; Colorful quilts; Fabric arts; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quilting through difficult times; Quilting through difficulties; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Texture (Art); Texture in art; Texture in quilts

Partial Transcript: What do you think makes a great quilt?

Segment Synopsis: White qualifies great quilts as those that grab the viewers attention, invoking thought or memory. White says that artistic quilts meld technique, color, and texture into a balanced composition. White talks about that artistic qualify as fine art, akin to something in a exhibit but with a different medium. White describes great quilters as flexible and loving of their art, and also states that more quilters are beginning to understand artistic composition in their art, a technique not commonly taught in quilting classes.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Composition (Art); Composition in quilting; Composition in quilts; Kentucky quilters; Kentucky quilts; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quilting techniques; Quiltmakers.; Quilts.; Texture (Art); Texture in quilts

Partial Transcript: How do you feel about machine quilting versus hand quilting?

Segment Synopsis: White describes her beginnings as a hand quilter, eventually transitioning into machine quilting. White states that while hemstitching is beautiful, machine quilting is more efficient in getting work done. She also recalls that while machine quilting was once looked down on, most people don't view it that way anymore.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Hand quilting; Hemstitching; Kentucky quilters; Kentucky quilts; Machine quilting.; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quilting by hand; Quiltmakers.; Quilts

Partial Transcript: Why has and is quilt making important to your life?

Segment Synopsis: White describes why quilting important to her life. White also discusses her quilting in the context of her community, stating that she is influenced by the environment. White also describes quilting as important to women's history as it is both a vehicle of freedom and accomplishment as well as mode of female bonding.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Female artists; Female quilters; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Women artists.; Women quilters; Women's history

Partial Transcript: How do you think quilts can be used?

Segment Synopsis: White talks about the functionality of quilts, with the primary function being warmth. She makes specific reference to a North Carolina project that places quilts in the back of police cars to comfort children. White also speaks about quilt preservation, stating that more people and organizations are becoming more appreciative behind their "grandmother's quilts." White also recalls the various quilts she has given as gifts, both to her children's friends and her doctor.

Keywords: Art appreciation.; Art quilts.; Quilt appreciation; Quilt function; Quilt maintenance; Quilt preservation; Quilt utlity; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quiltmakers.; Quilts; Quilts as gifts; Quilts for loved ones

Partial Transcript: What do you think has brought you to where you are in your quilt making?

Segment Synopsis: White reflects on what brought her to her current quilt making, recalling her past occupation at the Smithsonian and trying to use linoleum blocks in art. White also discusses what a viewer would know about her through her quilts, stating that her art reflects her fondness of color and heritage as an African-American women.

Keywords: African American quilters; African American quilts; Art quilts.; Black art.; Black quilters; Black quiltmakers; Fiber art; Fiber artists; Linoleum; Quilted goods; Quilting; Quiltmakers, African-American; Quiltmakers.; Quilts.; Smithsonian Institution

Partial Transcript: Do you want to talk about the organization you're apart of here in Louisville?

Segment Synopsis: White discusses her participation in a Louisville fiber artist organization. White describes the group's meetings, saying the experience and insight she has received about quilting have been extremely valuable.

Keywords: Art quilts.; Fiber artists; Fiber arts; Louisville (Ky.); Quilted goods; Quilting; Quilting groups; Quilting guilds; Quiltmakers; Quiltmakers.; Quilts.