by Vickie King, Mississippi Today November 12, 2023
“Hail Mary Full of Grace” and “Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb,” are quilts by artist Ravin Lovett, and currently on display as part of the exhibit Freedom, at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today
Ravin Lovett, an artist and art therapist, says she became fascinated with quilting at a young age, watching her “Big Mama” make magic from scraps of cloth. It was her grandmother that taught her to quilt. And it was this loving grace that eventually sent her on a journey of self-realization and self-healing.
“I was fascinated by quilting,” said Lovett. “Watching my grandmother… the technique, the patience and the beautiful results of a process created from these simple pieces of cloth was magical to me and over time, brought me a special kind of peace. It’s been a journey of peace and self-discovery.”
Lovett, 42 of Jackson, has created her quilts on a professional level since 2000. It was during harder times in her life that she went back to an unfinished quilt that she and her grandmother worked on in the mid-90s.
This discovery awakened the artist in her.
Lovett went back to school to further her education. She has degrees in art education and English, and a Master of Art in Biblical and Theological Studies. She credits her Big Mama, God and quilting for the healing she wants to share with others.
“I want to share my knowledge, my skills, with others. I want to teach them to quilt and help them find peace, too. Being an art therapist, a quilter, I can do that.”
Lovett’s 18 pieces are on display in an exhibit titled, “Freedom,” at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson until the end of November.
Ravin Lovett, at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, where her quilts are currently on display in an exhibit called, Freedom. Lovett, 42 of Jackson, is a quilter, artist and art therapist. Her quilts are an homage to her grandmother, self realization and self healing.Artist Ravin Lovett’s piece titled, Bound. This quilt is expresses Lovett’s journey from wearing a big, bold afro that screamed confidence while feeling the opposite. Lovett’s work is on display at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.Artist Ravin Lovett’s piece titled, Locked In. currently as part of the exhibit, Freedom, at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023. A portion of the quilt’s bio reads, “…locs created the commitment I needed to focus in so I could move forward outwardly.”Kristen Price, friend of artist Ravin Lovett, helps out in readying Lovett’s quilts for an exhibition at the Smith Robertson Museum, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 in Jackson. The exhibit consists of 18 quilts called, Freedom.“The Prayers of the Righteous,” is a Ravin Lovett quilt that speaks to peace and redemption. The quilt is currently on display at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.“Naked,” is a Ravin Lovett quilt that depicts Lovett’s vulnerable side; feeling naked and fragile, but not ashamed. Even finding strength in weakness. The quilt is currently on display at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.“Hail Mary Full of Grace” and “Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb,” are quilts by artist Ravin Lovett, and currently on display as part of the exhibit Freedom, at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.Artist Ravin Lovett’s quilts express her journey to find strength, peace and redemption. The quilt exhibit is called, Freedom, and is currently on display at the Smith Robertson Museum in Jackson, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
