The International Quilt Museum, University of Nebraska

Home / The artists / Antique quilts / The International Quilt Museum, University of Nebraska

Antique quilts, Contemporary quilts, Traditional quilts
2023
Artist's country: United States

The International Quilt Museum (IQM) is home to the world’s largest publicly held quilt collection. With objects from more than 65 countries and dating from the 1600s to today, the IQM aims to collect and exhibit works that represent quilts and quiltmaking traditions from around the world and throughout history.

The International Quilt Study Center was established in June 1997 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln when native Nebraskans Ardis and Robert James donated nearly 1,000 quilts to the University. The museum opened in 2008 and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

Commented exhibition tour: every day at 10 AM (EN)

Always there: African American quilts

Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

African-American quilts are an important segment of American quilt history. They reflect the diverse traditions that merge to form our American quilt heritage. African-American quilts come in every imaginable style: traditional patterns and original patterns, bold colors and subdued colors, and pieced quilts and story quilts. Like all American quilts, they vary from region to region, from era to era, and from person to person.

The quilts in this show offer a glimpse into the creative process of a group of African-American quiltmakers. Note the similarities between quilts: similar patterns, similar color usage, and similarities to traditional American quilt patterns. But, most importantly, note the uniqueness of each piece, that quality that makes each quilt a one-of-a-kind piece of art.