Tina Williams Brewer facts for kids

Tina Williams Brewer is an American artist known for creating special "story quilts." These quilts tell important stories about African American history and culture. Tina was born in Huntington, West Virginia. She studied art at the Columbus College of Art and Design.

Tina first worked in interior design and pottery. But in 1986, she started making quilts. She found that quilting was a better fit for her while raising her children. Today, she lives and works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has also helped lead art groups like the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh.

Her Amazing Art

Tina Williams Brewer's quilts are full of hidden meanings, called symbolism. She uses these symbols to tell stories about families, women, and children. Her art also explores the spiritual side of African American culture and her own life experiences.

Many of her older quilts focused on the Middle Passage. This was the difficult journey of her ancestors who were brought to America on slave ships. But Tina also highlights the many great things African Americans have given to history and society, like Jazz music.

Helping Others Through Art

Tina is very active in her community. She uses her artistic skills to help and inspire others. She encourages people to be creative and work together. Tina mentors artists of all ages, helping them learn and grow.

She has shared the art of quilting with hundreds of people. She does this through programs in schools and special art residencies. Tina also volunteers and works with several art groups. People often ask her to lead workshops and give talks about her art.

Where You Can See Her Quilts

Tina Brewer's quilts are part of many important art collections. You can find them in places like the African American Museum in Dallas, Texas. They are also at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. Another place is The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Her quilts have even been shown around the world! The U.S. Department of State's "Art in Embassies" program has displayed her work. Her quilts are currently at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana. They were also shown in Accra (2003), Khartoum (2009), and Dhaka (2011). Tina says she uses a design idea called the mandala concept when she creates her art. On June 12, 2009, the city of Pittsburgh even declared it "Tina Williams Brewer Day"!

Life Outside of Art

Tina lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, John Brewer. They have two children, John Emery and Kristine. She also has four grandchildren.

Her Quilt Creations

Here are some of the quilts Tina Williams Brewer has made:

• The harvest, 1989
• Migration blues, 1998
• Formation, 2002
• Rising from the thicket, 2014
• #1 of this place, 2016
• Whirling dance and the unconscious rhythm

Awards She Has Won

Tina has received several awards for her contributions to art:

• 2008 Award for Service to the Arts
• 2009 Volunteer in the Arts
• Lifetime Achievement Artist, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (2009)

Places Her Art Has Been Shown

Tina's work has been displayed in over 50 major art places across the United States. Some of these include:

• Tampa Museum of Art and Science, Tampa, FL
• Heinz Regional History Center, Pittsburgh, PA
• Evansville Museum of Arts, Evansville, IN
• African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA
• African American Museum, Dallas, TX
• Reginald Lewis Museum of African American Art in Baltimore, MD
• Huntington Museum of Art, Huntington, WV