For generations, the women of Gee’s Bend have stitched together scraps of fabric into something far more lasting than cloth alone. Their quilts, once made out of necessity, have become enduring works of art. They are housed in museum collections, studied by historians, and passed down through families like sacred stories. In Gee’s Bend, quilting is memory. Every pattern holds a piece of someone’s life, every thread a sign of love. That legacy was celebrated at adidas’ Honoring Black Excellence Capstone event in Atlanta. Gee’s Bend quilters were recognized alongside other artists and change makers shaping Black culture today. Their work was displayed in conversation with immersive video, portraiture, and performance art, offering visitors a way to experience the depth of their artistry within a modern context.
Quilting as Memory and Spirit
At the adidas event, curated by creative team Rog and Bee Walker, Pleasant Scott and Emma Pettway were among the Gee’s Bend Quilters honored for their artistry and for carrying forward a lineage of Black Southern storytelling.
“When I start quilting, I feel a deep desire to create,” Scott said. “I don’t always know what the final piece will look like, but I’m excited to begin and watch it come to life.”
Pettway described the process as intuitive and soothing.
“I don’t follow a pattern. Once I’m fully relaxed, the work flows naturally and comes together just the way I envisioned,” she said.
Their quilts hold the history of families, the echoes of oral traditions and the quiet persistence of Black women who have long created beauty out of what was available.
“Seeing my mother’s and grandmother’s quilts out in the world brings back so many memories,” Pettway said. “It’s emotional and exciting. Their work, and now mine, represents art, memory, and storytelling all at once.”
Scott added, “When I see quilts by my mother and sisters displayed, I remember sitting there watching them sew. It’s powerful to know those moments turned into something recognized as art.”
Recognition and Impact
Scott and Pettway’s work was treated with reverence at the adidas event. Their quilts were presented as part of a multi-sensory exhibition that honored the broad spectrum of Black creativity.
“It makes me feel proud and empowered like I belong among all these incredible artists,” Pleasant said. “It shows me that anything is possible when I put my mind to it.”
The recognition itself carried a weight neither woman took lightly.
“It’s a true honor to be recognized for Black Excellence,” Pettway said. “It affirms that what I’m doing, creating, expressing myself, and sharing joy through my craft, matters.”
A Message for the Next Generation
Both women hope their work speaks to younger Black artists and reminds them that creativity doesn’t have to follow traditional forms.
“I hope they see that creativity can come in many forms,” Scott said. “It doesn’t have to be one thing. If you have a vision, you can take it as far as you want—even to the moon.”
They also shared what makes Gee’s Bend unique is not just the quilts, but the spirit behind them.
“Gee’s Bend is a peaceful, loving place,” Pettway said. “When you come here, you feel welcome—like family.”
Keeping the Tradition Alive
Quilting, for them, remains a deeply spiritual practice.
“There’s singing, praying, and a lot of harmony,” Pettway said. “Those moments are full of spirit and connection.”
Scott calls it a peaceful, meditative act. Both women feel a responsibility to continue the tradition, not only for themselves but for the generations coming after them.
“We have to keep creating and sharing. Not just with our families, but with the world,” Pettway explained. “That’s how we preserve the joy and legacy of quilting for generations to come.”