It’s not a blanket, it’s art.

The DePaul Art Museum will host the exhibition “From Heart to Hand” starting April 10, showcasing quilts made by African American women from different parts of western Alabama.

Quilts, which might be viewed somewhere else as simply blankets, are given the spotlight. The quilts are bold and colorful, and give viewers a sense of the creativity that goes into making them.

The exhibition shows visitors that quilts are more than just household items, and that they are true works of art that take large amounts of time to create. “I hope it encourages all of us to think more broadly about what our definition of art is,” Louise Lincoln, the director of DPAM, said.

By bringing this exhibition to the University, DPAM hopes to offer visitors a completely different experience than most exhibitions. The quilts add variety and interest to the museum’s offerings.

“We like this possible exhibition because it’s material that’s often not considered art, you know “art” or art in a gold frame, and instead it’s thought of as craft or as sort of household stuff,” Lincoln said. However, Lincoln explained how there is a lot of personal taste and expression shown in the quilts.

Yvonne Wells, one of the artists whose work is being featured in the exhibition, began making quilts in 1979 out of the need to have something to stay warm, but these utilitarian objects turned into something much more.

Wells does not use patterns when creating the quilts and is inspired by colors and shapes. She feels that quilt making is special because “each of us is capable of making a quilt.” Wells is entirely self-taught.

Additionally, Lincoln noted that the museum hopes that this exhibition will bring people into the museum who have not visited there before. Both people who know nothing about quilts and people who know plenty about quilts could be interested in this unique exhibition.

Wells noted that she uses fabrics from all different places when creating her quilts and uses any material that helps to give viewers the idea she is trying to convey. When it comes to how she sees herself as an artist, she said, “I identify with folk artists.”

Wells first showcased her work in 1985. Her work has won best in show five times, in addition to many other awards. “I never thought anybody would show my work any place,” Wells said. It seems that the response from the community is much more positive than she originally expected.

All of the quilts are made by African American women from around western Alabama, including the area of Gee’s Bend, which has its own very distinctive style of quilting.

“The town has a history of being a very tight knit and isolated community,” Lincoln said. This isolation of and closeness within the community contributed to the distinct style of the quilts.

Quilts from other parts of western Alabama are also displayed in the exhibit.

Wells said that quilting is special because “it brings everybody together.” Both Wells and Lincoln spoke of the important role that quilting serves in communities.

Wells said that she “hopes [students] will get an understanding that you don’t have to have a degree to be an artist.” The exhibition provides inspiration to look for art in all sorts of places.

“From Heart to Hand” will be on view at DPAM from April 10 to June 22.