China Pettway is one of Gee's Bends leading gospel singers and one of the few locals who after attending college returned to live in the community. China was taught by her mother, Leola, how to quilt at the young age of eleven. "We had to quilt until 10 at night. Then, she would let us stop and get to bed. That was every evening except Saturday and Sunday. I made my first quilt, it was a 'Star.' And I still have it. Now a home health worker, China enjoys working with the elderly. "I love my patients and I think they are the most sweet and beautiful people you can meet." Singing is China's hobby.
Mary Ann Pettway is currently the manager of The Gee's Bend Quilting Collective. She made her first quilt for the collective in the summer of 2005. The seventh of 12 children, Mary Ann was born and raised in Gee's Bend. She has one married daughter and two grandsons. After graduating high school in 1975, Mary Ann took college book keeping and accounting classes before working in a sewing factory for 20 years. Mary Ann is one of the leading singers of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church and became involved with quilting after hearing about the trips the quilter of the community went on. "Before I started back to quilting, I was with my friend Sabrina's grandmother Arlonzia a lot and heard about these trips they would go on to other cities through The Quilts of Gee's Bend traveling exhibition. So I told her, 'I'm tired of hearing how good of a time y'all are having. I want to start having a good time too.' So she told me, 'Well, then start quilting!'" And she is, thankfully, still quilting today.
Mary Ann Pettway is currently the manager of The Gee's Bend Quilting Collective. She made her first quilt for the collective in the summer of 2005. The seventh of 12 children, Mary Ann was born and raised in Gee's Bend. She has one married daughter and two grandsons. After graduating high school in 1975, Mary Ann took college book keeping and accounting classes before working in a sewing factory for 20 years. Mary Ann is one of the leading singers of the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church and became involved with quilting after hearing about the trips the quilter of the community went on. "Before I started back to quilting, I was with my friend Sabrina's grandmother Arlonzia a lot and heard about these trips they would go on to other cities through The Quilts of Gee's Bend traveling exhibition. So I told her, 'I'm tired of hearing how good of a time y'all are having. I want to start having a good time too.' So she told me, 'Well, then start quilting!'" And she is, thankfully, still quilting today.
Registration Opens April, 2021
for the
Spring and Fall 2022 Retreats
for the
Spring and Fall 2022 Retreats
In an effort to get to the other side of Covid-19, our next retreats are scheduled for early 2022 and will be hosted at Lake Tiak-O'Khata in Louisville, Mississippi. Airport Shuttle Services will be offered from the Jackson, Mississippi airport (JAN).
After five years of hosting the Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats at Gray Center, The Mississippi Episcopal Diocese has decided to close the Conference Center.
In an abundance of caution, we will "give 2021 to Covid-19". Even though we will not host a retreat in 2021, registration for 2022 will be opened April 1, 2021. At that time, you will have three retreat dates from which to choose - a Spring 2022, and a Fall 2022, and a Winter 2022 option.
You are encouraged to keep an eye on this website and if you are on Facebook or Instagram, you can like and follow us there to stay up-to-date. You are all invited to join the Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats Alumni Community page on Facebook. See links below:
Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/GeesBendQuiltingRetreats
Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats Alumni Community
on Facebook
www.facebook.com/groups/372103536797516
Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats on Instagram
www.instagram.com/geesbendquiltingretreats/
So yes, we will continue in a new location giving us all much to look forward to. Please do take good care during this waiting period and enjoy creating much beauty during isolation. Mary Ann and China are both healthy and doing well. They send much love to each of you.
In an abundance of caution, we will "give 2021 to Covid-19". Even though we will not host a retreat in 2021, registration for 2022 will be opened April 1, 2021. At that time, you will have three retreat dates from which to choose - a Spring 2022, and a Fall 2022, and a Winter 2022 option.
You are encouraged to keep an eye on this website and if you are on Facebook or Instagram, you can like and follow us there to stay up-to-date. You are all invited to join the Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats Alumni Community page on Facebook. See links below:
Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/GeesBendQuiltingRetreats
Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats Alumni Community
on Facebook
www.facebook.com/groups/372103536797516
Gee's Bend Quilting Retreats on Instagram
www.instagram.com/geesbendquiltingretreats/
So yes, we will continue in a new location giving us all much to look forward to. Please do take good care during this waiting period and enjoy creating much beauty during isolation. Mary Ann and China are both healthy and doing well. They send much love to each of you.