The Kentucky Folk Arts Center welcomes a new exhibit titled Stories Told, Secrets Revealed: The Quilts of Bet Ison.
The showcase features ten homemade quilts and twenty accompanying pieces, reflecting Ison’s experiences growing up in rural Rowan County. Exhibitors said Ison creates quilts from scraps to craft new art out of old materials.
Tammy Stone is the Administrative Support at the Kentucky Folk Arts Center. She said each quilt, like “Missing Dixie,” tells a story.
“[Dixie was] a family member that left Kentucky to join the military in Indiana in 1946. This person changed her name for various reasons at that time, and she was never seen or heard from again,” Stone said. “So, this quilt tells the story about losing and finding this new person that has a completely new identity.”
Stone said Ison conveys her stories and lived experiences in a unique and creative way.
“With Bet’s history here, in Kentucky, I think it’s passed down- I think through her family Appalachian roots. And, I think Bet is an amazing storyteller, and she just really relays that in her quilts,” Stone said.
The display will be open from August 1 to October 20, and an opening reception will take place August 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. More information about Ison’s exhibit and other events can be found by calling the Kentucky Folk Arts Center at 606-783-2204.