Digital Snapshots

Hystercine Rankin (1929–2010) and Geraldine Nash (b. 1952) are two prominent figures in the rich tradition of African American quilting in Mississippi. Their work as individual quilters and as members of the renowned Crossroads Quilters (Port Gibson, Mississippi) have created a lasting legacy for contemporary quilters to draw from. As evidenced by the works in this collection, they blend traditional quilt techniques with figurative elements to tell stories connected to their lived experiences and larger narratives connected to Black history.

Born in 1929 in Jefferson County, Mississippi, Hystercine Rankin was introduced to quilting as a child by her grandmother. This early exposure was driven by necessity, aiming to provide warmth for her ten siblings. Rankin's quilting journey evolved from creating utilitarian bed covers to crafting intricate "memory quilts" that depicted scenes from her life and community. She is noted as a mentor to generations of quilters, having worked with children in Mississippi schools and co-founding Crossroads Quilters. Her work gained national recognition and several awards, culminating in receiving the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1997.[i]

Geraldine Nash, a native of Claiborne County, Mississippi, has since been instrumental in teaching quilting within the state and has received numerous accolades for her quilts, including a fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission in 1995. ​Nash grew up with the tradition of quilt making, learning from her mother. Her practice took a significant turn in 1988 when she began working at Mississippi Cultural Crossroads (MCC) in Port Gibson. Under the mentorship of Hystercine Rankin, Nash immersed herself in quilting, eventually becoming a master quilter who still actively quilts today.[ii]

The Crossroads Quilters emerged as a collective of Claiborne County-based quiltmakers dedicated to preserving and advancing quilting traditions through the initiatives of Mississippi Cultural Crossroads. Based in Port Gibson, Mississippi, Mississippi Cultural Crossroads stands as a pillar of community-engaged creativity, education, and cultural preservation. Since its founding in 1978 by Patty Crosby, the organization has been a hub dedicated to uplifting the voices, talents, and traditions of local residents, especially Black youth and elders. Through visual arts, quilting, storytelling, and public programs, Mississippi Cultural Crossroads has nurtured generations of artists.[iii]

As part of MCC, Crossroads Quilters became a space for intergenerational creativity and artistic collaboration. Although the group was not exclusive to African American quilters, it created a space for African American quilters to explore the meaning and significance of quilting in their own lives. Historically, early guilds often excluded Black quilters because of discriminatory views. Crossroads Quilters served as an integrated space where all were welcome and could refine their own definition of what quilting should be. Rankin and Nash played pivotal roles in this collective, offering workshops, organizing exhibitions, and mentoring aspiring quilters. Their efforts not only revitalized local interest in quilting but also positioned Mississippi as a significant hub in the national quilting landscape.

Rankin and Nash both use traditional and narrative quilting as a tool for storytelling and remembrance. Narrative quilting, in African American culture, is both a creative outlet and form of historical record. Black quilters have used narrative work to amplify hidden histories, spread messages of resistance and to commemorate moments of cultural significance. Rankin’s two memory quilts, After My Father's Funeral and Memories of My Father’s Death capture the harsh realities of living in the Deep South during the height of Jim Crow and the resilience that is often required to survive as a Black citizen. Choosing the format of a story quilt for Memories of my Father’s Death allowed Rankin to control the narrative of how her father, Denver Gray, was murdered in a visual way. While Rankin didn’t receive the justice he deserved following the fatal act of racial violence, the quilt allowed her to speak on his behalf and capture the impact of the loss on her family.

Within After My Father's Funeral, Rankin speaks to the continuation of life after death. The world eventually continues with business-as-usual following moments of tragedy. However, those who hold the grief are left to figure out what life looks like moving forward. The quilt reminds viewers of the humanity of her family and the hope and resilience required to get through such a traumatic event.

Nash’s quilt, The Hands That Picked the Cotton, Now Help Pick Presidents captures the centuries of labor and progress that led to the election of President Barack Obama. She also incorporates elements of local politics, specifically referencing the slogan Charles Evers used during his 1970s mayoral campaign in Fayette, Mississippi: "Hands that picked cotton can now pick the mayor." Using items like actual cotton balls, Nash speaks to the experiences of enslaved individuals who labored in the cotton fields of the South. Most importantly, she celebrates that their sacrifices gave way to their descendants being able to witness the first Black president take office nearly 150 years after emancipation.