Artist-in-Residence
Anne Reeves Artist-in-Residence | Arts Council of Princeton | Princeton, NJ
As the Anne Reeves Artist-in-Residence at the Arts Council of Princeton, Ronah Harris conceived and led the creation of a large-scale community quilt celebrating the history, identity, and cultural legacy of Princeton's historic Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood.
Inspired by Gail Mitchell's landmark 2005 community quilt, Harris reimagined the neighborhood's story through geography rather than portraiture, using a map of Witherspoon-Jackson as the foundation for a collaborative textile artwork. Through a series of public workshops, residents contributed fabric, personal stories, and hand-stitching, transforming the quilt into a collective expression of memory, belonging, and place.
Rooted in traditions of African American quilting and community storytelling, the project explores how textiles can preserve local histories while creating opportunities for intergenerational exchange and public participation. The resulting work serves as both an artistic record and a celebration of a neighborhood shaped by resilience, cultural heritage, and change.
The project reflects Harris's ongoing interest in community-engaged art, cultural preservation, and the power of collective making to connect people to the places and histories they share.
