Quilts for Obama: An Exhibit Celebrating the Inauguration of our 44th President

Charlene Hughes of Honolulu, Hawaii is one of the Master Quilters whose work is included in "Quilts for Obama: An Exhibit Celebrating the Inauguration of our 44th President," a special celebratory exhibit at The Historical Society of Washington, DC. Ms. Hughes has two quilts in this exhibit, representing Hawaii: "Kapa Apana" and "Kuu Maui Aloha."

"Kuu Maui Aloha" is an example of what is considered true Hawaiian-style quilting. Two colors only, strong value difference (red and yellow), echo quilting, symbolic.

"Kapa Apana" demonstrates what Hawaii is all about, showing the ethnic and cultural differences of the quilting ladies---all working together in harmony.

The exhibit contains approximately sixty art and interpretive quilts made to celebrate the inauguration and welcome the Obama family to Washington: 44 by master quilt makers from across the US, along with others honoring the Obama family from Kenya, Hawaii, Kansas, and South Carolina. The Historical Society and the Women of Color Quilters Network have partnered with The Group for Cultural Documentation (TGCD) to present the exhibit.


Guest curator Roland L. Freeman is a folklorist and photo-documenter whose career began during the Civil Rights movement.

The exhibit runs January 11 – January 31, 2009 at The Historical Society of Washington, D.C., 801 K Street, NW (at Mount Vernon Square), Washington, DC 20001. For more information call: 202.882.7764

(Editor's Note: There is a longer article about Charlene and her quilts in the January 9, 2009 Midweek! The on-line version is here, but without pics!)