Voices From the Earth, Inc. is a theater arts organization based in Thomas, WV that has been serving the community since 1991.

2011 African American Quilt Raffle Winner!

We have a winner!
Donna Markley, resident of Thomas, WV won the annual 2011 quilt raffle held at the VFTE fundraiser April 16 at the Thomas Education Center. The quilt is named “Puzzle at Port Royal” and commemorates the Port Royal Experiment and the contributions of African Americans to gaining their own freedom. Donna has worked as a volunteer at Courtland Acres many years. She was excited to win the quilt and kept saying, “I have never won anything before!” In the Photo from left to right is Melissa Brown VFTE Board President; Donna Markley, quilt winner; and Ida Murphy, African American quilt maker who donated the quilt for the raffle.

• The Story of the Civil War Quilt:
  Puzzle at Port Royal
  This quilt represents the struggle to establish a new kind of American society based on racial equality and social justice in Port Royal South Carolina from 1861-1865. West Virginia artist, Ida Murphy, uses the charm pattern to symbolize the conflicting interests journey for liberation of the Freedmen and women, the United States Colored Troops, and those who supported a radical reconstruction of the Southern aristocracy no longer based on privilege and race. The abstract impression of motion in the puzzle pieces represent the constant movement of military and civilian support. The thrust of the blades interlock in an optical playing field. The foreground shifts to the background. The battle front also had a back commemorated on the reverse side of the quilt.
  
  

  VFTE Raffle Quilts 2005-2011

  2005 Baby Tumbling Blocks	2005 UGRR Sampler Quilt
  2006 Ohio Star	2007 Monkey Wrench
  2008 Wagon Wheel	2009 Fan Quilt
  2010 Catch Me If You Can	2011 Charm Quilt: Puzzle at Port Royal

   

  For Further Reading on the Part Port Royal Played in the Civil War, click here.