Sarasota artist celebrates history of Newtown with new quilt

Vickie Oldham initially learned about Peg Green’s new art quilt but only truly felt its emotional impact when she visited Green’s home to see it in person. The quilt, titled “Leadership: Vickie Oldham, Newtown Alive,” symbolized progress in Oldham’s work in preserving the history of Newtown, a predominantly Black community in Sarasota. Oldham, the president and CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition and the leader of the Newtown Alive project, was deeply moved by the quilt’s depiction of various locations in Newtown and its central portrayal of herself.

Peg Green, an artist specializing in art quilts, found inspiration for the Newtown quilt after taking a trolley tour of Newtown with Newtown Alive. She was drawn to the neighborhood’s sense of community and its rich history within the Sarasota area. Green’s exhibition featuring the Newtown quilt, “Witness!” at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota, reflects her commitment to social justice and making untold stories public.

Green’s meticulous process involved extensive research, photography, and the use of thousands of different fabrics to bring the quilt to life. The quilt includes significant aspects of Newtown’s history, such as the desegregation of Sarasota’s beaches and important community landmarks. The creation of the quilt took approximately one-and-a-half months, and its future placement is still being determined.

Oldham expressed gratitude for Green’s contribution to telling the community’s story through her art, emphasizing the powerful impact of the quilt in sharing the history of Newtown. The quilt serves as a testament to the vision of engaging individuals like Green to use their talents to preserve and celebrate the community’s heritage.

Sarasota’s Black History of Newtown

In this episode, we are honored to be joined by two distinguished guests, Vickie Oldham and Brenda Watty, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in the realm of African American history in Sarasota. Vickie Oldham, the esteemed president and CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the African American community in Sarasota. Her remarkable contribution includes the founding of the Newtown Alive trolley tours, a captivating initiative that offers a compelling exploration of the historical and cultural significance of Sarasota’s African American neighborhood, Newtown.

Accompanying Vickie Oldham is Brenda Watty, a revered member of the Marvelettes Motown group, whose passion for music and history has led her to become an integral part of the Newtown Alive trolley tours. Brenda Watty, a Sarasota resident, not only shares her musical talents but also contributes her insights into the vibrant cultural tapestry of Sarasota’s African American community.

Together, our guests delve into the compelling narrative of African American history in Sarasota, shedding light on the rich tapestry of experiences, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped the community. Their invaluable perspectives offer a profound understanding of the significant contributions made by the African American population to the cultural and historical landscape of Sarasota.

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In this episode, we invite you to join us in exploring the captivating narrative of African American history in Sarasota, guided by the profound insights and experiences of our esteemed guests, Vickie Oldham and Brenda Watty.