I grew up with a deep sense of creativity and resilience – values instilled in me by my grandmother, Laura Louise Johnson. From her, I learned not just practical skills – like how to feed myself and handle challenges – but also the importance of honoring my individual creativity. My family’s legacy thrives on artistry, resourcefulness, and the belief that you can create beauty from even the humblest materials! It’s no surprise then that I became an entrepreneur, carrying those lessons with me into everything I do. And while my grandmother has been gone for a few years now, her spirit and her legacy inspire me every day. I’m so honored to have the chance to share with you more about how I am who I am because of her: this is the Polished family legacy.
My Grandmother’s Legacy
This year, we learned of an incredible tribute to my grandmother and our family’s artistic history. Four quilts made by Mama Laura, her mother Bettie, her grandmother Rebecca, and her sister-in-law Jimmie will be featured in an upcoming exhibit at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA). The exhibit, called Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California, is a celebration of African American craftsmanship and history!
Our family was both surprised and thrilled to discover that these quilts would be preserved and displayed for the public! They’re an extraordinary representation of the artistry and history of Black families who migrated west from Louisiana! This exhibit came about through the work of an art scholar named Eli Leon. Eli became captivated by the quilts of Rosie Lee Tompkins and spent years collecting quilts from across California. After his passing, BAMPFA inherited his nearly 3,000 quilts, including the ones created by my grandmother and her family.
Mama Laura was a gifted seamstress. But I had no clue that she entrusted these treasured quilts to someone who’d care for them with such respect! Now, decades later, these quilts tell the story of our family’s journey within The Great Migration. It’s a story of struggle, resilience, and hope.
Some Family Quilts from Routed West: Twentieth-Century African American Quilts in California
I’m incredibly proud to see my family’s work featured in this exhibit. It’s a fitting tribute to the women who shaped me! I can’t wait to gather with my family to celebrate their work at the opening in June.
If you’re able, please visit this exhibit and take in the beauty and history these quilts represent. For me, it’s a chance to reflect on my grandmother’s lasting impact on my life. It’s a testament to the creative, resilient spirit that continues to run through our family.
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