Dolores Vitero Presley

Partial Transcript: Well welcome, my name is A'donna Richardson and I am the founder of The African American Quilt Documentation Study Group.

Segment Synopsis: Interviewer A'donna Richardson begins the interview by discussing her foundation, The African American Quilt Documentation Study Group. The group aims to document, research, and preserve African American Quilt History. This interview is with a member of The American Quilt Guild of Oakland, Dolores Vitero Presley.

Keywords: African American quiltmakers

Subjects: Quilting; African American quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: Why don't you start by telling us a little about yourself and how you first became interested in quilting. pp

Segment Synopsis: Dolores introduced herself, she began quilting in 1999. Her granddaughter was born in 1998, and she was inspired to make a quilt for her as a keepsake. She anticipated that her granddaughter's quilt would take three years to complete, and she ended up completing the quilt in three months.

Presley lives near a senior center and saw quilt classes being advertised, and after one class loved the craft. The class teacher was an Indigenous woman, who taught her that the point of quiltmaking is to bring others joy. She always knew she was an artist, and tried many other art forms before finding her calling in quilting. Before quilting she played golf, she gave up the sport to pursue quilting.

Keywords: Learning quiltmaking; Quilt purpose - Art or personal expression; Quiltmaking classes; Quilt purpose - Heirloom

Subjects: Children's quilts; Quilting

Partial Transcript: [Richardson:] I had asked you to bring a quilt, or show us a quilt and I am assuming, that is a lovely piece of work behind you. [Presley] Thank you. [Richardson]: Is there a story behind it that you can share?

Segment Synopsis: The touchstone quilt was inspired by stories and represents Presley's father. Presley's father was a fisherman working in Berkeley, CA. Her family had a tradition of every Sunday driving has a family, typically to bodies of water. All of the blocks, except two feature fish fabric, and the remaining two are of Presley's father. Presley has a deep love of being in the water, a trait which she gets from her father.

Keywords: Blocks; California; Fabric - Print; Family life; Parents; Quilt purpose - Art or personal expression; Art quilts

Subjects: Portraits on quilts; Quilting; Art quilts

Partial Transcript: [Richardson]:I would like to move on to a little bit of history of the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland, and I understand you are one of the charter members, could you share a brief story of the founding of the guild and just let us know how it came to be.

Segment Synopsis: Presley describes that the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland began at the senior center, where quilter and quilt teacher Esther Pancho taught. Pancho had moved from Los Angeles where she was a member of another African American quilt guild. Pancho saw that there was interest in the Oakland community, and the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland was founded in the year 2000 with seven members. Presley, her sister, and her mother were all founding members.

They did community events to publicize their group, such as events at museums, churches, and senior centers teaching visitors basic techniques.

Keywords: African American quiltmakers; Guild activities; Guild leadership; Quilting communities; Teaching quiltmaking

Subjects: African American quiltmakers; Quiltmakers; Quiltmakers--United States; Quilting

Partial Transcript: [Richardson]: What were some of the challenges that the guild faced in those early days? What were the challenges, and how did you guys overcome them?

Segment Synopsis: In the early days, there were only seven members, four of which were retired. Because of low membership, the guild members stretched themselves thin. Funding was another challenge, the guild did not know how to receive grants. It took about 3 years to gain non-profit status.

Presley considers that the achievements of the guild are the strong community relationships, members volunteer with schools, Girl Scout troops, or other community groups to teach quiltmaking. Often during Black History Month (February), the guild would be especially active.

Keywords: Quilt purpose - Teaching or learning sample; Show and Tell (quilt guild); Teaching quiltmaking; African American quiltmakers

Subjects: African American quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: [Richardson] You come to the guild meetings, I have seen some of the things you have done, and I have some more pictures to share with you. I am going to go back around to your anniversary, the 25th anniversary, which is a big deal. [Presley] Next year is our 25th year.

Segment Synopsis: In regards to the 25th anniversary of the African American Quilt Guild of Oakland, they don't have any specific plans. They have a lot of ideas, and they know that it is going to be a big celebration.

Presley describes that the community relations part of the guild is an important part of the legacy of the guild and hopes to continue to build on that aspect. They hope to expand on displaying quilts. Presley loves to teach children and seniors quilting. One of the schools in Oakland, CA invited the guild multiple years in a row where all of the students learned to quilt.

Keywords: African American quiltmakers; Art education; Learning quiltmaking; Quilting communities; Teaching quiltmaking

Subjects: African American quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: [Richardson]: Let's move on to the promotion of quilting arts, and you have already talked a little bit about this but how does the guild encourage skill development and artistic expression among the guild members?

Segment Synopsis: Presley describes that the Guild puts significant emphasis on teaching. Usually during the year, they have a stipend-funded position to bring in teachers to encourage skill-building and learning. The guild also likes to bring in members and guests who have made quilting their full-time position and have advanced skills.

Presley is also part of a smaller group within the guild, the Sew n' Sews, that has about 10 members. This group's specific purpose is teaching, learning, and critiquing, so the members can reach a higher level of skill set.

Keywords: Guild activities; Knowledge transfer; Quilt purpose - Teaching or learning sample; Female quiltmakers

Subjects: Quilts; African American quiltmakers

Partial Transcript: [Presley]: Okay, this one is from the small group the Sew n' Sews, we did a round robin. I sent out this little fabric and attachments.

Segment Synopsis: Presley shows Richardson a few smaller quilt examples from the guild. The first example is from her quilt group the Sew n' Sews where each member of the group added fabric to make a quilt together. The second example is described by Presley as a mix of both art and traditional quilting. One group member brought back fabric and embroidery from South Africa for Presley. The backing of the quilt is a traditional crazy-quilt pattern and then features embellishments.

Partial Transcript: [Richardson]: Well, we talked a little bit about education and mentorship but does the Guild engage in any other education or membership programs, to pass on the quilting skill to our younger generations?

Segment Synopsis: For February the Guild has a Black History Month family workshop to make a 9-patch quilt block. The founder Esther Pancho began that tradition that has continued for 22 years. Presley's group the Sew n' Sews does additional activities separate from the guild, but always informs their membership in the Quilt Guild of Oakland.
The African American Quilt Guild of Oakland has about sixty members, the highest the membership has ever been is around one hundred members. They have been able to gain new members in the past through increased public exposure through methods such as displaying quilts in public venues around Oakland and creating an informational catalog.

The guild has collaborated with other local guilds, such as the San Francisco guild, to do trunk shows and demonstrations.

Keywords: African American quiltmakers; California; Quilt documentation; Quilt guilds; collaboration; Quilting communities

Partial Transcript: [Richardson]: I have to ask about the future of the African American Quilt Guild. Could you share with me or do you have a vision of what African American Quilt Guilds should be like in the future?

Segment Synopsis: Presley evokes her small group, the Sew n' Sews, and states that the future of African American quilt guilds should involve more small groups, to foster relationships and create more community involvement. Interviewer, Richardson, states that this is part of the historical tradition of African American quiltmaking, which includes fellowship and sharing.
Presley states that she has shared her ideas of the quilting community which has influenced the region, such as a newer group (created 10 years ago) in Fresno, CA. the Covid-19 pandemic has affected Guild activity.

Keywords: Friendships through quilting; Guild activities; Love; African American quiltmakers

Subjects: Knowledge transfer; African American quiltmakers