The Ray of Hope: Aaron Douglas-Inspired Quilts and Murals July 25, 2012

In the spring term of 2012 Marla Jackson, a Lawrence, Kansas, quilt artist, worked with Liberty Memorial Central Middle School 8th graders, in Michel Loomis' English class, and Topeka area 4th graders to produce a number of painted and quilted works inspired by Aaron Douglas and the Harlem Renaissance. This exhibition will feature two large paintings, made by the 8th-graders, and 18 individual quilts made by the 4th-graders in Topeka on similar themes. The 4th-grade students are all from the Williams Science and Fine Art Magnet School in Topeka. The project overall is a collaboration with the National Park Service, the Brown v. Board of Education National Park Service Site, Topeka. Both Jackson and Loomis have collaborated with Joan Wilson of the National Park Service on this project.