EXHIBITION: "Bearing Witness Art Quilt Exhibit" @ Hjemkomst Center, Moorhead

Opening Oct. 10, Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County will display 40 art quilts called Bearing Witness, produced by Studio Art Quilts Association. The theme of the exhibit is “deliberate attempts to eradicate specific populations due to differences of culture, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, and race. Often motivated by those in power, collective trauma and tragedy are part of our past and present. This exhibition will educate viewers about the perils of antisemitism, racism, homophobia, sexism, and inequity. Our challenge is to remember and learn from the history of The Holocaust and other global genocides and to amplify our shared humanity. Preserving our humanity is at the center of all diversity, equity, and inclusion work, invoking the core of our experiences” (SAQA website). The exhibit will show at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead Oct. 10 through Dec. 27, 2026. This exhibit will no doubt startle viewers who may be expecting their grandmother’s traditional quilts. Images and artist statements share the artists’ reflection on global atrocities in an art form that expands the tradition of quilt making to include found objects, sculpture, photo transfer, embroidery, and beadwork. This activity is funded in part by Joe and Muriel Richardson, the FM Quilters (thank you!), the voters of Minnesota through grants through MN State Arts Board and Lake Region Arts Council from a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, the FM Area Foundation, Alex Stern Family Foundation, and The Arts Partnership with support from the Cites of Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo.