Arlonzia Pettway
Arlonzia Pettway (1923–2008) was an American artist associated with the Gee's Bend group of quilters.[1][2] She began quilting at age 13.[3]
In 2006, her quilt "Chinese Coins" variation appeared on a US Postal service stamp as part of a series commemorating Gee's bend quilters.[4] Her work is included in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston[2] and the High Museum of Art.[5]
Life
Arlonzia Pettway was raised on the Pettway Plantation by her father and mother until 1941 when her father died. At 18, she and her brother Ike took over the responsibilities of the farm after their father's death. They primarily raised cotton, corn, peas, and sweet potatoes. Later, they also raised cucumbers and turnips for a company in Montgomery. In 1940, Pettway's childhood log-cabin style home was replaced with a "project house" by the federal government. It included three bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, and two bathrooms with no running water. The family did not get indoor plumbing until 1974, nor electricity until 1964. They bought their first telephone in 1976.[6]
Pettway married Jennie Pettway's son, Bizzell, when she was 20 years old. They farmed and raised twelve children together – four girls and eight boys – in Pettway's family home. Her husband died in 1964 and she died in 2008.[6]
Work
Considering herself a resourceful person, Arlonzia Pettway made most of her things herself. She believed her skills were inherent, saying "I just had a head for doing anything. It was just born in me to make things."[6] She recalled making, beds, bookshelves, TV cabinets and planters out of river buoys. When she was nine years old, she made dresses for her and her sister out of blue taffeta, which were the pride of her mother. Her mother likely taught her to sew and quilt before the age of nine.[6]
References
- ^ William Arnett; Bernard Herman (2006). Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt. Tinwood Books. pp. 54–. ISBN 978-0-9719104-7-8.
- ^ a b "Quilt - The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston". www.mfah.org.
- ^ "The Quilts of Gee's Bend". www.pbs.org. 1 July 2003.
- ^ "Gees Bend Quilters to be Honored with Stamp". www.wsfa.com. 2006-04-10.
- ^ "High Museum of Art Receives 54 Artworks from Souls Grown Deep Foundation". Artfix Daily. 2017-04-26.
- ^ a b c d "Arlonzia Pettway | Souls Grown Deep Foundation". www.soulsgrowndeep.org. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
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- Nellie Mae Abrams
- Willie Abrams
- Annie Bendolph
- Louisiana Bendolph
- Mary Lee Bendolph
- Agatha Bennett
- Amelia Bennett
- Delia Bennett
- Linda Diane Bennett
- Loretta Pettway Bennett
- Mary L. Bennett
- Polly Bennett
- Emma Lee Pettway Campbell
- Minder Coleman
- Minnie Sue Coleman
- Rachel Carey George
- Gloria Hoppins
- Ella Mae Irby
- Mary Elizabeth Kennedy
- Nettie Jane Kennedy
- Lucy Mingo
- Lottie Mooney
- Lucy Mooney
- Flora Moore
- Aolar Mosely
- Addie Pearl Nicholson
- Mertlene Perkins
- Arcola Pettway
- Annie Bell Pettway
- Annie E. Pettway
- Arlonzia Pettway
- Candis Pettway
- Edwina Pettway
- Henrietta Pettway
- Jessie T. Pettway
- Lola Pettway
- Loretta Pettway
- Louella Pettway
- Lucy T. Pettway
- Lutisha Pettway
- Martha Jane Pettway
- Mensie Lee Pettway
- Pearlie Kennedy Pettway
- Qunnie Pettway
- Sally Mae Pettway
- Bettie Bendolph Seltzer
- Sue Willie Seltzer
- Florine Smith
- Geraldine Westbrook
- Andrea Williams
- Irene Williams
- Nell Hall Williams
- Patty Ann Williams
- Magalene Wilson
- Estelle Witherspoon
- Annie Mae Young
- Deborah Pettway Young
- Nettie Young
- Stichin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt by Patricia McKissack
- Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham
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