Dear AUC Students, Faculty and Community Supporters –

It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm invitation for you to visit our latest art exhibition here at the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Robert W. Woodruff Library where we proudly serve three historically black colleges and universities – Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College.

Celebrating a Quarter of a Century of Soulful Storytelling Through the Art of Fiber: 25 Years of Weaving Emotions, Culture, and Creativity into Threads That Connect Us is now on view through June 15, 2025. On display are over 60 amazing quilts that celebrate historically black colleges and universities, the Divine 9, and other important African American traditions. These quilts, are much more than intricate works of art, they are stories woven with history, culture, and emotion. They share personal narratives, invoke memories, and give voice to generations past, present, and future. The quilts are designed by the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild (BSSQG), a vibrant and diverse community of 142 quilters from the metro-Atlanta and thirteen other states. Since its founding in 2020, BSSQG has been steadfast in its mission to foster the art and history of quilting, with a special focus on African American traditions.

Much like the quilts on display, each one carefully stitched to tell a distinct story, the AUC Woodruff Library is committed to preserving history, stories, and collections onsite here at the Archives Research Center. In addition to ensuring the preservation of Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, the center also preserves the collections of renowned artists Hale Woodruff and Fahamu Pecou. We are dedicated to ensuring that these collections, along with many others, remain accessible for future generations.

As you walk through this exhibit, I encourage you to reflect on how these threads, each carefully chosen and meticulously stitched, weave a shared journey of culture and creativity that unites us all.

Thank you for joining us in this meaningful celebration of heritage, creativity, and storytelling. We are grateful to the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild for their dedication to preserving and sharing these soulful narratives through their craft, and we are excited for you to experience the emotional resonance of each quilt on display.

Enjoy the exhibition and allow each quilt to share its story.

Warmest regards,

Kimberley Bugg, Ph.D.
CEO and Library Director
AUC Woodruff Library