McDonough native Aisha Lumumba said she draws inspiration in a variety of ways, when deciding who to honor in her quilt-making career.

“Sometimes it’s how a person has affected me in my life, like Aretha Franklin with her music,” said Lumumba, 67, of Atlanta.

Lumumba’s work will be on display during an Art Quilt Exhibition April 22 from 2-5 p.m. at the Locust Grove Event Center, 280 Mose Brown Drive. The free event will feature 101 of the artist’s handmade quilts from the last 40 years.

Lumumba began quilting as a teenager, and she attended schools in the Henry County school system. She graduated in 1973, and became more serious about quilting nine years later.

“People started asking to buy them,” she said.

Since then, Lumumba has made her living as a quilter. She said the mission and message of her quilts has grown considerably over the years.

“When I first started making quilts, I was making patchwork quilts,” she said. “Then in the ‘90s, I started seeing people branch out from traditional patterns into more creative art styles. That inspired me to do the same.”

Lumumba’s first foray into celebrity quilts was one depicting actor Sidney Poitier. The artist said her passion for the profession reflects her memories of people and places she has experienced in her lifetime.

“What I’ve added this time is more portrait work,” said Lumumba. “I call them history makers.”

Lumumba’s recent work pays homage to presidents, singers, athletes, musicians and other notable figures throughout history. Among those individuals depicted in her latest quilts are: B.B. King; James Brown; Billie Holiday; and former President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama.

“Aretha seems to be my muse,” said Lumumba. “I just find inspiration from everywhere.”

Lumumba said fans of her work often request her to create quilts for them. Such is the case with her newest quilt, depicting basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal.

“I just did that one this year,” she said.

Lumumba said she is always on the lookout for quilting ideas. Although her recent work consists primarily of portraits, she continues to enjoy more “traditional” patterns.

“The log-cabin pattern is my favorite,” she said. “I have three or four of those. This is my full-time occupation. I put in at least 40 hours a week with these quilts.”

Lumumba typically works on more than one quilt at a time, and said each quilt takes 3-6 months on average to complete. She said her quilts come in different sizes, ranging from small wall-sized quilts to those which can cover a king-size bed.
As an example, she pointed to a quilt measuring 100 inches by 100 inches, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lumumba and her husband of 46 years, Chinyelu, have four children and five grandchildren. In addition to creating quilts, Lumumba has penned several books on the topic, as well as a pair of cookbooks. She also has a how-to book on quilting patterns.

“Every time I exhibit anywhere, people ask, ‘how can I do this, how can I get started quilting?’” said Lumumba. “Most people I talk to know how, but they’ve never thought of doing it as art. That makes me feel very proud of what I was taught and that I can pass it on.”

Light refreshments will be served at the exhibition. For more information, visit www.obaquilts.com.