Artisan Marie-Jeanne Beloin is showcasing traditional short-stitched quilts in an exhibition titled "Les courtepointes de ma grand-mère" in Coaticook, Quebec [1, 2].
The exhibition serves as a critical effort to prevent the disappearance of a specific regional craft. By displaying these handcrafted fabrics, the project aims to preserve the cultural heritage of the courtepointe, and share the personal histories woven into the textiles [1, 2].
Coaticook is the site for this display, where Beloin presents the works to the public [1, 2]. The courtepointe is a distinct style of quilting characterized by short stitches, a technique that requires significant time and precision to execute. These items are often viewed as more than utility objects—they are considered fabrics of the heart [1, 2].
Beloin focuses on the intersection of art and memory through the collection [1, 2]. The exhibition emphasizes that these textiles are not merely domestic tools but are historical records of the women who created them. This initiative encourages a broader recognition of folk art within the province of Quebec [1, 2].
Preserving such crafts is a growing priority for local artisans who fear that industrialization and the passage of time may erase traditional techniques [1, 2]. The event provides a space for the community to engage with their ancestral roots through tactile and visual storytelling [1, 2].
“The exhibition aims to preserve the cultural heritage of courtepointes.”
This exhibition reflects a broader movement in Quebec to institutionalize folk art and domestic crafts as formal cultural heritage. By transitioning these quilts from private family homes to a public exhibition space, the community validates the labor of ancestral women as a legitimate historical record and an essential component of regional identity.
