Podcast tells the story of “Quilts as Monuments: Sew Their Names”
USA
Auburn University’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is extending its reach far beyond campus through a new episode of “The Kitchen Sisters Present” podcast. Featuring the “Sew Their Names" Project, the episode—produced in collaboration with Auburn’s art museum—brings national attention to a multiyear, statewide outreach collaboration as well as the exhibition Sew Their Names: Quilting, Creativity, and Activism, on view at the museum through Saturday, July 11. Hosted by Nikki Silva and Davia Nelson, the Peabody Award-winning producers of "Lost & Found Sound" and "The Sonic Memorial Project," “Quilts as Monuments: Sew Their Names” highlights how quilting and embroidery can serve as powerful tools for remembrance, storytelling and social action, connecting personal narratives to broader histories that continue to shape communities today.
At the heart of the episode is the “Sew Their Names Project,” an initiative that invites individuals and communities across Alabama to engage directly with the historical record by stitching the names of people who were enslaved, as documented in the archives of the Alabama Baptist Church held at Samford University. Through this collective act of making, participants confront the absence and erasure often found in historical narratives, transforming archival research into a tangible, communal process of memorialization. Each stitched name becomes both an act of recognition and a step toward restoring human dignity to those whose stories were reduced to records of property.
The podcast episode weaves together multiple narratives that reveal the complexity, sensitivity and significance of engaging with this history. It includes the story of Reverend Dale Braxton and Judge Susan Russ Walker as they reflect on the legacy of the antebellum Hopewell Baptist Church, grappling with the challenges—and responsibilities—of saying “yes” to projects that address the history of slavery. Their perspectives illuminate the ethical and emotional dimensions of this work, particularly within communities where these histories are deeply rooted and often difficult to confront.
The episode also highlights the contributions of the Mount Willing Quilters, whose longstanding quilting traditions provide a vital cultural and artistic foundation for the project. Their work underscores the enduring role of quilting as both a creative practice and a form of community storytelling passed down through generations. In addition, the episode traces the evolution of the "Sew Their Names" Project itself, from its origins to its expansion across the state through traveling exhibitions and hands-on workshops that invite public participation.
Central to the project are the four commissioned Alabama artists—Mercedes Braxton, Charlie Lucas, Wini McQueen and Yvonne Wells—whose works bring distinct artistic voices to the initiative. Their commissioned quilts and mixed-media works interpret the themes of memory, loss and resilience in ways that are both deeply personal and collectively resonant. Through their practices, the project bridges contemporary art and historical inquiry, demonstrating how artists can play a critical role in shaping public understanding of the past.
Works from the “Sew Their Names" Project, alongside additional objects from the university art collection, are currently on view at The Jule, creating a space where visitors can engage with these stories in a direct and meaningful way. The exhibition and podcast together extend the museum’s role as a teaching institution, fostering dialogue that connects art, scholarship and lived experience.
Support for Sew Their Names: Quilting, Creativity and Activism provided by the Art Dealers Association of America (AADA) Foundation, The Millie & Andy Gosch “Silver Dollar” Endowed Fund for Excellence and The Betty Coston Lassen ‘54 Endowed Fund for Excellence in Education.
