PEORIA, Ill. – Starting Saturday, you can see something at the Peoria Riverfront Museum that few have seen, from documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.
“Uncovered: The Ken Burns Collection” is a group of 26 quilts Burns has collected over the years.
“We don’t shy away from bringing things in that will inspire people like crazy,” said John Morris, Peoria Riverfront Museum CEO. “This is a national exhibition. Only three locations people have seen Ken Burns’ private exhibition.” Peoria is the final of the three cities.
Burns reportedly has been collecting quilts for a long time, and along with the quilts are the stories of each one.
“What makes this exhibition so phenomenal is the ability to look at a quilt, and be able to read and hear Ken Burns’ voice in your head, as you read his words, and really feel his connection with the pieces that he has,” said Leslie Leving, Ardis and Robert Jones Executive Director of the International Quilt Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The museum coordinated with Peoria and the two other cities which have hosted the exhibition.
The “Uncovered” exhibit will soon also be re-covered, thanks also to the Peoria Riverfront Museum, as it will publish a book of photographs of Burns’ quilts.
“It will include all 26 quilts that you see here,” said Laurie Baker, guest curator, and photographer for the book. “Plus, we were able to go to Ken’s guest house…and photograph another eleven.”
CLICK HERE to learn more about “Uncovered: The Ken Burns Collection” at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
