User:Hicung/Harriet Powers

Bible Quilt controversy
In 1992 The Smithsonian Institution hired a Chinese company to make reproductions of Bible Quilt along with several other famous 19th century quilts, including Susan Strong's 1830, Great Seal Quilt. When the first reproductions appeared in Spiegel catalogue for purchase, many Americans were shocked. The quilting and arts community, particularly The National Quilting Association and Maryland's Four County Quilt Guild, were extremely upset by these reproduction efforts. They felt it was disrespectful to try and make money off Bible Quilt and other works like it without exploring who might own the familial rights to the work and who could possibly receive some of the royalties from its reproduction. They were also concerned that the mass reproduction of these unique, timeless quilts would not only damper the significance of their authorship, but muddy the important origins of their place in American history. Additionally, they felt strongly that if reproductions were going to be made, they should be produced by American quilting companies to help continually support the craft in the US. Many felt so passionate about this cause that they canceled their Smithsonian memberships, contacted their congressman, signed petitions and protested outside the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian Institution made several changes to their reproduction efforts based on these responses, including having "Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution" printed on every quilt in hopes of avoiding confusion. They agreed to not sell quilt reproductions in museum gift shops or any type of catalogue, and changed their reproduction contract to two domestic companies, the Cabin Creek Quilters in Appalachia and the Missouri Breaks living on the Lakota Sioux reservation. To combat controversies like this in the future, the Smithsonian additionally began to hold public forums that fostered discussion and further research about ethical practices as it relates to artistic reproductions. (finding citation for Smithsonian).