HERITAGE AND FAMILY

VIA QUILTS

In 1982, I enrolled in an eight week quilting class after observing a quilt with cross-stitched scenes of historic Charleston, South Carolina. I had just learned to cross-stitch and intended to make only one quilt in my lifetime. As I looked at graphs, I saw so many that depicted African-Americans. So,instead of duplicating the churches and other landmarks, I decided to cross-stitch the African-American men and women whose colorful lives have added so richly to the cultural flavor of the city. Included are the ice and fish street vendors of the past, the flower ladies, and the sweetgrass basket makers whose craft was brought from the Rice Coast of Africa during slavery. Centered are four scenes that are the epitome of the African-American experience. An Elder telling stories symbolizes the oral nature of a culture noted for the strength of the Mother. When we were toil-weary, the Dancers brought us joy and when we were heavy-hearted, we turned to the Gospel Singer for words of hope. Based on recollections and memories of my childhood, this first quilt (which I intended to be my only one) is named A RECORD OF A RICH HERITAGE. [©1984, Marlene O'Bryant-Seabrook, 81"x97", Photo by Rich Steele Studio] I chose to quilt many hearts on pink and green, the colors chosen by the FOUNDERS of my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc..

As a professional educator with a creative streak, I approach quilting from the dual focus of an educator and an artist: the educator slips a lesson into each quilt--love of God, family, and children, pride in heritage, respect for accomplishments; the artist combines various techniques such as applique, cross-stitch, photo transfer, and piecing. This ALBUM OF MEMORIES [© 1990, Marlene O'Bryant-Seabrook, 85"x107",Photo by Rich Steele Studio] showcases an 1870 sketch of Avery Normal Institute, the school that I attended from pre-primer through twelfth grade, photographs of my three colleges/universities (South Carolina State College - B.S. degree, The Citadel - M. A. degree, University of South Carolina - Ph.D. degree), and favorite personal photographs--75th birthday celebration of my phenomenal maternal Grandmother, Fannie Rutherford Greenwood-Quarles, who set the intellectual pace for her descendants when she graduated from college in 1912 [pictured with her are her three children, Christina, Arabella-my mother-, and Curtis]; Parents, Fletcher and Arabella Greenwood Linton; Husband, Arthur H. Seabrook; Children,Kim O'Bryant-Martino, Evans,III, Wayne, and Darryl O'Bryant; and Grandchildren, Anthony,Jr, Taquia, and Tiffany Martino, Kelvin and E. Maurice O'Bryant. There is a photo of Art and me taken at the college graduation of Eric, the youngest of the three sons - Arthur, Jr., Carlton, Eric - that I acquired via our 1977 marriage. The last one is a family group photo taken at the 1990 triple wedding of my two younger sons, Wayne and Darryl, and their brides,Rana and Zaria, who are sisters [the girls' brother, Walter Frye and his bride, Veronica, completed the triad]. They have added five more grands, Demanti, Tabari & Mensah (Wayne/Rana) and Daryl Elon & Razia (Darryl/Zaria), who "missed" the quilt. Also, included in the group photo are my other "children", Anthony Martino, Sr.(Kim) and Alice O'Bryant(Evans); aunt, Christina Greenwood Jakes; uncle/aunt, Curtis and Charlotte Greenwood; and cousin, Doris Greenwood.

CHRONICLE FROM ROTC TO ROTC [© 1985, Marlene O'Bryant-Seabrook, 67"x92"] spans the twenty year Army career of my husband, Art, from ROTC cadet at South Carolina State College to retirement as Head of Army ROTC (Professor of Military Science) at Tuskegee (AL) Institute. Insignia, medals, states, and countries were personally graphed and cross-stitched. I used gold, silver, and bronze(gold dipped in coffee) metallic thread for the insignia (2nd Lieutenant-1953, 1st Lieutenant-1956, Captain-1960, Major-1965, and Lieutenant Colonel-1968) and as needed on the medals (National Defense, Meritorius Service, Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Viet Nam Service, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign, and Armed Forces Reserve). States/Countries, in addition to SC(where it all began), were: Fort Benning,GA(1953-54), Ft. Carson, CO(1954-56), West Germany((1956-60 & 1966-67), Ft. Leonard Wood, MO(1960-61), South Viet Nam (Advisor-1961-63 & during Tet Offensive-1967-68), National Guard Advisor-Auburn, NY(1963-66), Inspector General-Rock Island(IL)Arsenal(1969-70), and Professor of Military Science-Tuskegee(AL)Institute(1970-73). My dedication square states: Created for my husband as a visible reminder of my love and of my pride and appreciation of his contribution to our nation's defense. The Log Cabin pattern was executed in purple and gold, the colors of his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.

The music selected for this page which honors my heritage and my family is Everything I Do, I Do It For You.

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