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Stitching Portland’s Black History: Virtual Exhibit

October 17-November 1

The story of a quilt and the incredible women who created it.

Click the registration button to be taken to the virtual exhibit.

For the first time in 23 years, the Afro-American Heritage Commemorative Quilt was on display at the Oregon Historical Society. Unfortunately the exhibit had to close prematurely after the quilt sustained damage after being forcibly removed. This virtual exhibit aims to to continue to honor and preserve the legacy of the Afro-American Heritage Bicentennial Commemorative Quilt which was conceived and created by 15 pioneering African-American women in Portland and completed at the time of the Bicentennial in 1976 to celebrate Black history in America.

Displaying this quilt, a valued part of the OHS collection, during Portland Textile Month emphasizes its political and cultural importance, both historical and present. It highlights (1) the important contributions of African-Americans during 200 years of American history, (2) the pride expressed by the quilters in America as a diverse nation, and (3) the significant contributions of the quilters to the city of Portland despite decades of racial discrimination. The quilt shows the decades-long efforts by Portland’s African-American community to address racial discrimination and the injustice it causes.

The 30 blocks in the quilt each represent an event, individual, or group of importance to Black history in America. A copy of the original pamphlet that describes the stories in each block will be on display with the quilt.




Support Our Community Programs

In just over 4 years, Portland TextileX Month (PTXM) has turned from an ambitious idea into an engaged community movement. This transformation highlights the power of our mission to foster collaboration, cross-pollination, cultural dialogue, and intergenerational exchange among the Portland textile community and beyond.

This year we’ve organized the PTXM festival with over 40 events and directly sponsored a multitude of FREE programs including exhibits, workshops, artist talks, community events, and more—representing a diverse range of textile interests and practices. This year’s PTXM Regeneration Festival has brought together makers, businesses, teachers, students, institutions, and organizations to gather around shared interests and knowledge-sharing. PTXM would not have been possible without the dedication of event organizers, paid contributors, paid interns, amazing volunteers and the receptiveness of the textile community.

We hope to continue building PTXM and TextileX website as sustainable resources that serve the textile community for years to come, and that’s where you come in.

If you feel a connection to the PTXM mission and what we can accomplish together, please consider making a direct contribution programming. As a direct contributor, your funds will go directly toward programming, lean administrative expenses, and providing paid internships. We appreciate any contribution you can make and your continued support.

Click to Make Your Contribution to PTXM.