Join curator and master art quilter Torreah “Cookie” Washington for an engaging discussion of Regal Threads: The Majesty of Blue and Purple. This annual exhibition celebrates the richness of African American fiber traditions through color, creativity, and cultural expression.
Washington will share insights into the curatorial vision behind the exhibition and highlight works by artists from across the nation who explore the concept of regal through quilting, weaving, embroidery, and mixed media. Each piece incorporates shades of blue and purple; colors historically associated with royalty, dignity, and spiritual depth.
Through this conversation, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the stories, materials, and cultural significance woven throughout the exhibition, as well as the enduring legacy and innovation within contemporary fiber art.
About the Curator:
Torreah “Cookie” Washington is a fourth-generation needleworker and Charleston-based fiber artist known for her narrative art quilts that honor the Divine Feminine and African ancestral heritage. Born in Rabat, Morocco, and self-taught in quilting, she carries forward the legacy of the women in her family—seamstresses, designers, and tailors—while forging her own path in textile-based art.
For over 16 years, she has curated the African American Fiber Arts Exhibit for the North Charleston Arts Festival, helping the exhibition grow into a traveling showcase across the South. Cookie’s work is griot in spirit, using fabric, form, and storytelling to inspire emotional connection, cultural reflection, and social dialogue. She also teaches in underserved communities, gives school lectures, and donates quilts to support the unhoused.
One of her proudest honors was being chosen as one of 44 Master Art Quilters to create a quilt in celebration of President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. Her work has been featured in several documentaries, including Skin Quilt and The Wayshowers, for which she served as executive producer.