“Under the Cover of Knowledge” highlights the work of nationally recognized Florida-based artist and quilter Betty Ford-Smith (American, b. 1951), whose hand-sewn Pinecone Quilts transform a traditional bedcover into extraordinary works of art.
Drawing inspiration from 19th- and early 20th-century pinecone quilts, Ford-Smith blends research, technique, and muscle memory into a meditative practice that can take more than six months and over 4,000 individually cut and folded fabric pieces to complete a single quilt. Her process begins with a small square at the center and radiates outward in concentric circles, echoing the rotation of stars around a galactic core.
Showcasing Ford-Smith’s contemporary creations alongside antique examples and related works, the exhibition reveals the layered histories, cultural traditions, and artistic mastery embedded in this centuries-old form. With larger quilts weighing up to 30 pounds and spanning up to nine feet, Ford-Smith’s labor-intensive and visually stunning pieces offer insight into how nature, community, and creativity intersect through the timeless language of craft.
On view through February 22 in the Edith-Marie Gallery on the first floor.
