ARTIST’S LECTURE
Faith Ringgold: More Than 50 Years
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Diana Wortham Theatre
Tickets on Sale August 15, 2008

Faith Ringgold

“Personal Narrative” is the theme of the constellation of programs for the artist Faith Ringgold.  Her work as a painter, textile artist, and children’s book author explores the African-American experience both personally and in a more universal way. 
She has written and illustrated eleven children’s books and is best known for her story quilts which bridge craft and fine art by combining painting, quilted fabric and storytelling. 

Faith Ringgold has received numerous prestigious awards for her work.  Her art is showcased in exhibitions throughout the world and housed in many permanent museum collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.   She has taught art at the University of California in San Diego.

Ringgold’s work invokes a dialogue about racial histories and representations.  She uses different mediums and styles to comment on her perspective as a woman and an African American artist working at a time of social instability and widespread change.  Her quilts are inspired by past African-American experiences and yet still touch on the racial dialogue occurring in the present moment. 

Her work has been instrumental in advocating for a more diverse presence of artists in museums across the country, especially in terms of racial and gender representations.  Through humor and play, she questions the tension between ‘primitive and civilized’ by tapping into historical assumptions and creatively relating the past to the present.  Her writings, illustrations, and mixed media works combine to create a unique style that attracts both children and adults to her humanistic messages.  Tar Beach, Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky, The Invisible Princess, and other books and story quilts do not reprimand but instill hope in the reader to pursue their own dreams with affirmation and joy. 

Faith Ringgold will talk about her more than 50 years as an artist and writer exploring the African-American experience.

Tickets available at Diana Wortham Theatre Box Office.  $24 General Admission, $16 Students and $20 Museum Members.

Additional Ticket Information: In person, during box office hours, some additional fees apply. Online, www.dwtheatre.com, per ticket and per order processing fees apply. Charge-by-Phone, 828-257-5430, $3.50 processing fee per order (tickets held at will-call). Tickets can be mailed to the patron for a $1 additional fee.

UP FOR DISCUSSION
Faith Ringgold and the Postmodern Quilt with Nancy Sokolove, Adult Programs Manager
Thursday, October 30 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
What is postmodernism, and why is Faith Ringgold the quintessential postmodern visual artist? Explore how Ringgold’s quilts tell stories that rewrite conventional histories and how her works specifically address gender and racial disparities. Nancy Sokolove incorporated Ringgold’s art into her art history and interdisciplinary studies courses, and centered a paper she gave at the College Art Association on Ringgold’s work. Prior to joining the Museum’s staff, she taught for seven years at Appalachian State University and two years at UNC Asheville. 

FILM SCREENING
The Last Story Quilt
Date and Time TBD
Pack Memorial Library
The Last Story Quilt is a thirty minute documentary with the renowned African-American artist Faith Ringgold.  Working on a story quilt, Ringgold speaks about her artistic influences and styles, giving the viewer a personal experience with this artist.

DISPLAY
Faith Ringgold Quilt Project
November 2008
Pack Memorial Library
A quilt of Faith Ringgold's children's book covers will be on display at the entrance of the children's room at Pack Memorial Library for the month of November 2008 with information about Ringgold's life and work. 

PERFORMANCE
Date and Time TBA
Pack Memorial Library
Storytelling/ poetry/ music

DISPLAY
The AIDS Memorial Quilt: A Tapestry of Lives
November 24 - December 1, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily (except Thanksgiving Day)
Pack Place
Beginning Monday, November 24th and ending with a candlelight memorial vigil at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 1st, The AIDS Memorial Quilt: A Tapestry of Lives will be on display in Pack Place.

smArt speak, Asheville Art Museum's Distinguished Artist Series, is sponsored by a grant from MetLife Foundation.  A series partner is the Bumcombe County Library System.  Additional partners are the University of North Carolina at Asheville and The Asheville School.  In-kind sponsors include Renaissance Asheville Hotel, Haywood Park Hotel, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Fugazy Travel and WCQS Public Radio.

Recommended Reading:

Faith Ringgold

Books:

Tar Beach (1991)

Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky (1992)

Dinner at Aunt Connie's House (1993)

Bonjour Lonnie (1996)

My Dream of Martin Luther King (1995)

The Invisible Princess (1998)

The French Collection Part 1

Coming to Jones Road

If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks (1999)

Counting to Tar Beach (1999)

Cassie's Colorful Day (1999)

Cassie's Word Quilt (2002)

We Flew Over the Bridge: The Memoirs of Faith Ringgold (1995)

Talking to Faith Ringgold (1996) by Faith Ringgold, Linda Freeman & Nancy Roucher

O Holy Night (2004)