The Portraits Quilt Exhibition Gallery

Portraits II: From Montgomery to Paris: The Appliqué Art Quilts of
By Riché Deianne Richardson (2015)

Exhibition Dedicated to Mr. Joe Richardson and Mrs. Emma Lou Jenkins Richardson

By Riché Richardson

Curator: Daniel Neil with Georgette Norman

Early Work: A Retrospective and Prelude to “Portraits”

Includes Delta Quilt Series, Daughters of Africa Series, Family Quilt, Autobiography Quilt, and Africa Quilt Series (10 works)

Soft-sculpture doll honoring purple uniform of Alabama Association of Federated Youth Clubs completed at age 16. Second place prize winner at annual state convention. Eyes painted on by Dorothy Thomas, a neighbor who made and sold soft-sculpture dolls (1987).



Soft-sculpture doll made at age 18 to decorate dormitory room in Packard Hall at Spelman College freshman year the summer before leaving for college(1989)



“Delta Love.” First art quilt produced in 1992 as a new member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in Spelman College’s Eta Kappa Chapter; this organization also first exhibited Riché Richardson’s art when featuring this piece in an exhibition on Spelman’s campus in 1993. This Delta art quilt also includes two small replicas in the collections of the artist’s Delta “Speshes,” Soror Patsy K. Rucker Mccray and Soror Riché Daniel Barnes



“My Family Quilt”(1993)













“Destiny’s Child: Borrowed Robes: The Autobiography of Riché Richardson”(1994)











“Daughters of Africa.” From the Collection of Claire Milligan(1993). Large, multi-panel art quilt on which this series is based was completed in the summer of 1993.



“Daughters of Africa.” Appliqué work by Riché Richardson and quilting by Georgette Norman.
From the Collection of Georgette Norman (1993).



Africa Quilt (1995)



Africa Quilt (1995)









“JoAnn Richardson: School Days.” First painted art quilt that launched the “Portraits” art quilt project (1999)



*A quilted “Daughters of Africa” potholder and a Christmas stocking featuring a Christmas tree and snowman were also produced during the mid-1990s phase, though no art quilts were produced between 1996 and 1998

(Images Unavailable)

From Portraits II Family Series, Including Baby and Children, Education, Debutante and Self-Portrait Series, Along with
Various Installation-Style Works with Light and Sound Technology Components (29 Works)



“Debutante Daddy: Mr. Joe Richardson Presenting Daughter Pamela Richardson As a Debutante in National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Beta Beta Chapter Cotillion, Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, Alabama, April 10, 1976” (Joe Richardson, b. July 11, 1915 and Commemorating 100 Years in 2015) (Debutante Series). Installation-style panel 1 of 3. Composition 2011-2014.




“Debutante Pamela Richardson Presented by Father, Mr. Joe Richardson, in National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Beta Beta Chapter Cotillion, Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, Alabama, April 10, 1976” (Debutante Series). Installation-style panel 2 of 3. Composition 2011-2014.




“Debutante Mama: Mrs. Emma Lou Jenkins Richardson, Mother of Pamela Richardson in National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Debutante Cotillion, Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery, Alabama, April 10, 1976” (Debutante Series). Installation-style panel 3 of 3. Composition 2011-2014.




The Montgomery Advertiser newspaper showcased debutantes from the April 10, 1976 cotillion at Montgomery, Alabama's Garrett Coliseum highlighted here in a two-part feature published on April 15 and April 22, 1976. An 11X14 reproduction of the part of the news feature published on April 22 that features Pamela Richardson in one of its two photographic sections is positioned on the wall left of panel 1.

Top hat, white-tipped cane, white pedestal column and white floral bouquet positioned at left adjacent to panel 1. A segment from the original newspaper article related to the cotillion positioned right of panel 3. Special thanks to Pamela R. Garrett for developing the flower bouquet designs and to Kim Salter at Evening Out Formal Wear in Montgomery, Alabama for providing the cane featured in the installation.



The main song in the digital soundtrack component of this debutante quilt installation is Barbara Streisand’s “The Way We Were”(1976), the theme song of the cotillion. Among other songs in rotation are Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely,” The Carpenters’ “Close to You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun,” Fred Astaire’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” Captain and Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together,” Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Shining Star” and The Chordettes’ “Mr. Sandman.”

The installation also includes one-light spotlight beam technology shining on center panel. Special thanks to Daniel Neil for collaborating on sound and light technology features of this art quilt installation.

“Jo Ann and ‘Junior Man’ II, or, ‘Butler’ and ‘Jenny’: Cowboys at Christmas.” Installation-style quilt. Special Thanks to T-Shirt Express for Screen Printing Background Photographs. Dedicated to Nancy Hodge Richardson, Murray Richardson, and Sarah and Clinton Carson. Special thanks to Joanne Richardson for preparing the fringe on the outfits in this art quilt installation. Composition 2009-2015.





“Pam as Booker T. Washington May Day Queen.” Original newspaper article related to the festivities is positioned on the wall. Composition 2009-2014.



“Riché Deianne Richardson as Jr. Gayfer Girl in 1983 at Age 11 and Dressed for the Group Photo, the First Event after Graduation from Poise-Charm Classes at Gayfers Department Store (formerly Montgomery Fair) in Montgomery Mall"(Family Series, Education Series, and Self-Portrait Series). Special Thanks to T-Shirt Express for the T-Shirt Design and Production.
Composition 2012-13.









“’Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes!’: Keri Diamond Smith and Megan Chereé Smith, School Days at St. John-Resurrection"(Family Series, Education Series) Installation-style quilt. Also features sound of children’s song “Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes.” Special thanks to Daniel Neil for collaborating on sound technology features of this art quilt installation. Composition 2005-12.







“Riché Deianne Richardson: Profile in the State of Alabama” (Self-Portrait). Composition 2011-2014.



Political Series

“Obama Time: Always (Congratulations, Mr. President!)” (Political Series). Composition 2008-09.



“The Magnificent Michelle Obama, Our First Lady: ‘Strength and Honor are Her Clothing’(Proverbs 31: 25)”(Political Series). Composition 2009.



“Mary McLeod Bethune: One of America’s Greatest Sweethearts and the World’s Best Leaders.” Composition 2012-2014.





"Clarence Thomas’s High Tech Lynching?: Inferior Court Justice to Be"(Political Series). Composition 2002-12.



"Condoleezza Rice: From Birmingham to the White House" (Alabama Women Series, Political Series). Composition 2011- 2012.



“The Journey of Condoleezza Rice.” Composition 2012.







“’W’: President George W. Bush, #43.” Composition 2013-14.



Civil Rights Movement: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Series

“Rosa Parks, Whose ‘No’ in 1955 Launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Was Heard Around the World”(Commemorating 100 Years, 1913-2013) (Civil Rights Movement Series, Black History Series, and Alabama Women Series). Dedicated to Georgette Norman. Composition 2006-12.



“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to a Dream for America” (Black History Series). Composition 2012-2014.





“E.D. Nixon: Father of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Civil Rights Movement” (Black History Series) In Memory of E.D. Nixon, Jr., a.k.a. “Nick LaTour.” Dedicated to Alma Burton Johnson. Composition 2012-13.





Riché Richardson's art quilt honoring Rosa Parks on public display in the building's lobby as part of the permanent collection at the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama



Paris Series

“James Baldwin: From Harlem to Paris” (African American Literature Series). Composition 2012-2014.



“’Richard Wright: From Mississippi to Paris” (African American Literature Series). Composition 2012-2014.



“Audrey Tautou as Amélie.” Composition 2011.



Hollywood Series

“Charleston's Finest: Clark Gable as Rhett Butler"(Gone with the Wind Series). Special thanks to Daniel Neil for collaborating on sound technology features of this art quilt installation. (Panel 3 of 3). Composition 2006-12.




“Dorothy Dandridge Playing Carmen Jones” Installation-style quilt. Special thanks to Daniel Neil for collaborating on sound technology features of this art quilt installation. Composition 2012-2014.



“I Wanted to Really Build Something: To Sidney Poitier with Love.” Composition 2012-2014.



“The Marvelous Marilyn Monroe.” Installation-style quilt. Special thanks to Daniel Neil for collaborating on sound technology features of this art quilt installation. Composition 2011 -2014.



Black History Series

“Daughter of Africa, Mother of African American Literature, Another American Revolution” (Black History Series, African American Literature Series, and New Daughters of Africa Series). Dedicated to Honorée Jeffers. Composition 2010-12.







“The Great Abolitionist Frederick Douglass: ‘I do not remember to have ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday’; Birthday Unknown but Celebrated February 14” (Black History Series) Dedicated to Class of 2009, Suger High School, Saint-Denis in Paris, France. Installation-style quilt. Includes display of a broken cowhide whip. Composition 2010-11.





“Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison”(African American Literature Series). Composition 2010.









“The Vision of W.E.B. Du Bois.” Composition 2012-2014.



Portraits from Montgomery to Paris(2008) (19 Works)

From Family Series, Including Wedding, Graduation/Education, and Debutante Series, Three Installations, and Artist Self Portraits

"Sunday Afternoon on Palafox Street in Pensacola, Florida during WWII: Emma Lou
Jenkins Richardson.” Composition 1999-00.



“Sunday Afternoon on Palafox Street in Pensacola, Florida during WWII: Joe Richardson.” Composition 2000-01.



"JoAnn and 'Junior Man': Easter Sunday, Montgomery, Alabama, 1954"(Installation). Composition 2001-04.


"Pam's Graduation from Kindergarten at Mrs. Drake's"(Installation). Composition 2005-08.







"JoAnn Richardson: Graduation Picture at Booker Washington High School." Composition 2005-06.



"Joseph Richardson: Graduation Picture at Booker Washington High School.” Composition 2006-07



"Pamela Richardson: Graduation Picture at Jefferson Davis High School." Composition 2005-08.



"The Honeymooners: Celebrating 47 Years: Emma Richardson." Composition 2005-06.





"The Honeymooners: Celebrating 47 Years: Joe Richardson." Composition 2005-08.







“Riché Deianne Richardson: Graduation Picture at St. Jude Educational Institute of 'The City of St. Jude.”' (The Last Camping Place for Selma-to-Montgomery Marchers in 1965) (Self-Portrait). Special Thanks to Dr. Kelly Gianetti for Sterilized Orthodontic Appliances. Composition 2005-06.





“Riché Deianne Richardson, Age 17: Debutante Cotillion Program Portrait, 1989." (Self-Portrait). Composition 2006-08.



"Keri Diamond Smith, Age 17: Debutante Cotillion Program Portrait, 2004." Composition 2006-08.



"Megan Chereé Smith, Age 17: Debutante Cotillion Program Portrait, 2006." Composition 2006-08.



From Paris Series

"Playing Venus Hot to Trot?: Josephine Baker"(Commemorating 100 years, 1906-2006). Composition 2001-05.


"Remembering a Dutiful Daughter: Simone de Beauvoir" (Commemorating 100 years, 1908-2008). Composition 2004-07.

From Political Series



"The Ties that Bind: John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy." Composition 2002-04.



"A Tie, Too?": Malcolm X." Composition 2002-04.


From Hollywood Series

"Playing 'Mammy': Not Hattie McDaniel!" Composition 2006-08.



"Sweet Scarlett?: Vivien Leigh Playing Southern Belle." Composition 2006-08.



Pamela R. Garrett posing with the quilt featuring her as May Day Queen at Booker T. Washington Elementary



Pamela R. Garrett posing with the Debutante Triple Quilt installation featuring her and her parents







Pamela R. Garrett adjusting the panel of her father Joe Richardson on the Debutante Triple Quilt Installation



Members of the Montgomery Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (MAC) at the public reception for "Portraits" on January 15, 2015





The artist Riché Richardson talking to Dr. Henry Johnson at public reception for portraits (photo by Ora Patterson)



Some family members in the gallery room after the "Portraits" public reception



"Portraits" exhibition curator Georgette Norman, Founding Director of Rosa Parks Museum



Images by Mickey Welsh from the Montgomery Advertiser newspaper of the gala Hyundai Reception commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march held on March 6, 2015 at Rosa Parks Museum, which was hosted in the gallery room with "Portraits" and included local and national leaders such as Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford, noted civil rights attorney Fred Gray, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Bernice King, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, among many other distinguished leaders.