Viola Canady facts for kids

Viola Canady (born November 3, 1922 – died March 21, 2009) was an amazing African American artist who made beautiful quilts. She helped start a special group called the Daughters of Dorcas and Sons Quilting Guild in Washington, D.C..

About Viola Canady

Viola Canady was born on November 3, 1922. Her parents were Charlie Williams and Lillie Grady. She grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Later, in 1945, she moved to Washington, D.C.

In 1960, Viola started working as a tailor. She sewed uniforms for the US Army. She even worked on a uniform for a famous general named Douglas MacArthur. She retired in 1979. The next year, she helped create the Daughters of Dorcas and Sons Quilting Guild.

Daughters of Dorcas and Sons Quilting Guild

The Daughters of Dorcas and Sons Quilting Guild was a group of people who loved making quilts. Most of the members were African American. They met every week at church. Viola and other members taught their quilting skills to people in their community.

Viola was a very important leader in the guild. She taught many people how to quilt. She also shared crafting techniques with her friends and local school children. Viola was famous for her quilts that used bright, jewel-like colors. One of her most well-known quilts is called the Cathedral Window Quilt. You can see it at the Anacostia Community Museum. Her artwork is also part of the collection at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

See also

• African-American art
• History of quilting