Black History Month

Bonita Johnson-deMatteis

Artist Bonita Johnson-deMatteis developed the concept of the cairn, with its quilt block floor. “The Black History Cairn project is an interactive monument site,” described Johnson-deMatteis, “that will allow visitors to approach the site and have a sense of shelter and protection. This atmosphere will create a mood of reflection, perhaps even reverent celebration for the African descendants that travelled the Underground Railroad… The quilt patterns found in the ground on the ‘inside’ of the structure also repeat patterns of codes, messages that the Runaways were instructed to follow.”

A word from the artist

Coloring these quilt images will help you remember the journey that many endured and the importance of Black History Month.