More than 25 dynamic quilts made by members of the African American Quilters of Los Angeles (AAQLA) are on view at Pasadena Museum of History from October 4, 2025, through February 22, 2026. STORIES, TRADITIONS & DESIGNS: Spotlighting the African American Quilters of Los Angeles will run concurrently with a retrospective exhibition featuring the acclaimed artist/architect Cha-Rie Tang.

Members of AAQLA have selected from among their own creations for a display that expresses their history, creativity, and shared experiences. “From intricately pieced quilts that tell stories of struggle and triumph, to vibrant patterns that celebrate our unity and individuality, quilting has provided us with a means to celebrate our heritage and preserve our stories for future generations,” they note on their website.

The AAQLA is proud to continue the time-honored tradition of quilting within the bustling city of Los Angeles. The roots of the AAQLA stretch back to 1986 when a pivotal exhibition of African American quilts graced the halls of the California Afro-American Museum in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. From these humble beginnings, visionary founder Carolyn Mazloomi sowed the seeds of a quilting community that has blossomed into a collective force that today numbers more than140 multi-ethnic individuals, spanning generations, backgrounds, and experiences.