Family First: Stitched Together - A Family Story Quilt Experience

"Stitched Together: A Family Story Quilt Experience" is a hands-on, intergenerational art workshop that invites families to explore storytelling through fabric, color, pattern, and symbolism. Inspired by the tradition of African American quilting, participants will learn how quilts can preserve memories, celebrate culture, and connect generations.

Each family member will create a small fabric quilt square that represents a meaningful family memory, tradition, value, place, or symbol. Participants will explore elements of art such as color, shape, texture, pattern, and repetition as they design their individual pieces.

At the end of the workshop, families will have the opportunity to place their quilt squares together to create a visual representation of their shared stories. The experience encourages creativity, family conversation, cultural appreciation, and connection through art.

Family First is presented by Novant Health

La Toya Thompson is a South Carolina-based quilter, and visual art educator whose work explores African American history, family, culture, memory, and community. Inspired by the quilting traditions passed down through her family, she uses fabric, hand stitching, color, pattern, and symbolism to transform personal and historical stories into visual narratives.

Thompson holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Benedict College and an M.A. in Museum Studies from Southern University at New Orleans. With more than 20 years of experience in education, she is passionate about creating meaningful art experiences that encourage participants of all ages to explore their own stories and cultural connections.

Her work has been exhibited in museums, galleries, and cultural institutions throughout the Southeast and beyond. Through her teaching and studio practice, Thompson continues her mission of preserving stories and building connections through fiber art—Stitching stories that speak from the SOUL.