About

1998 – 2018: The AAQC celebrates 20 years of quilting

Who We Are

Founded in Durham, North Carolina in 1998 by Bertie Howard, Jereann King Johnson, Candace Thomas, and Helen Sanders, the African American Quilt Circle (AAQC) began as a small gathering dedicated to preserving African American quilting traditions.

Today, AAQC is a thriving collective of more than 60 members across the Triangle and beyond, united in preserving heritage while serving the Durham community.

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Our Mission

The mission of the African American Quilt Circle of Durham (AAQC) is to preserve the tradition of quilting in the African American community and to support community service projects.

It was important that we were a circle, because we had this idea of participatory teaching and learning from each other. And we always thought about having equal voice and ears in the process, because in a circle, everybody is the same distance from the center.
JEREANN KING JOHNSON
JEREANN KING JOHNSONPrincipal Member, African American Quilt Circle of Duram
Meet the Artists
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Active Members

Our Impact

For more than 20 years, AAQC members have shared African American quilting traditions while donating quilts, supporting families, and educating communities across Durham and North Carolina.
See Our Work

Awards & Recognition

Quilting from the Heart with Soul was named one of the 10 Best Art Exhibitions of 2003 by the Durham Herald-Sun.

Recipient of the Indies Triangle Arts Award, presented by Independent Weekly in recognition of outstanding artistic achievement and long-term commitment to the region.

Selected for the Durham Arts Council Exhibit Season, presenting Life Through Quilts: Works by the African-American Quilt Circle of Durham (August–October 2010).

 

What We Do

  • Educating members and the community through classes, workshops, and programs about quilting and African American quilt history.
  • Promoting members’ talents through exhibitions and encouraging quilt making at every level.
  • Teaching the importance of labeling and documenting quilts to preserve history.
  • Contributing quilts to charitable organizations and participating in local and statewide cultural events.

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