Discover Delmarva Arts: Mending the Female Narrative Through Fiber

SALISBURY, Md. — In the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture’s newest exhibit, each stitch tells a story. From handmade dolls to intricate textile pieces — these artists are using fiber to share powerful narratives about womanhood.

“Women have historically told their own narratives through fiber. They have spoken on social and political topics through fiber and it’s something that kind of combines and weaves the female narrative together,” Museum Operations Coordinator Alexandra Kean said.

Curators say each piece adds another layer to conversations surrounding women’s experiences and identities.

“I think the way that we tell our stories and the way that we get people to hear us is often through art forms and medium we can see eye to eye on that allow us to express ourselves fully,” Kean said.

“We have indigo artists, we have puppeteers, we have doll makers, we have weavers. You have so many different forms of fiber art within that piece but also many different stories — some trace back to African roots while others tell more contemporary urban stories of the artist,” Museum Curator Raye-Valion Gillette.

It’s the museum’s first all-female exhibit, and the largest collaboration they’ve done yet. It was all inspired by work done with Dr. Joan M.E. Gaither, a documentary story quilter — and made possible with funding from the Maryland Heritage Area Authority and Beach to Bay Heritage Area.

“She’s a story quilter but she works intimately with women who do needlepoint, weaving, knitted pieces — who do all kinds of fiber art because her pieces are very community based,” Gillette said.

Curators hope visitors leave with a greater appreciation for both fiber arts and the powerful stories woven into every piece.

“Way before folklore, to give it a proper title, women were already telling their stories through the fiber arts that’s been amplified even more so as these artforms have gained more contemporary inclusion,” Gillette said.

Mending: The Female Narrative Through Fiber is open until July 11.

The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture is hosting the inaugural Crossroads Fiber Arts Festival on May 23 and May 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit https://www.museumofeasternshorecultureatsu.org/events-programs/