Visit This Exhibit
On display January 22, 2025 - May 25, 2025
Open Wednesday – Sunday
11 AM – 4 PM CST
Accessibility
This exhibit is located throughout the Museum, however most artwork can be found on the first floor and is wheelchair accessible. An album with images of the installations on the second floor is available for those who are mobility impaired.
Threads of Her Story
Contemporary Painting in Conversation with the Museum’s Permanent Collection
-Ann Flemings-
on display at the Neill-Cochran House mUseum
January 22, 2025 - May 25, 2025
In an era long before fast fashion, textiles were not mass-produced but hand sewn, meticulously crafted by individuals, usually women, whose fingerprints and dedication can still be felt in every stitch. Wearing a piece of clothing in the late 1800s was akin to wearing a piece of art, with garments built around the form of the wearer, custom-fitted to perfection. The ornate pleating and intricate embellishments of these garments mirrored the decorative nature of the era, as women adorned themselves and their homes with beauty and care.
Contemporary Austin-based artist Ann Flemings brings this historical period to life in her work, weaving personal insight and deep research into her artistic interpretation. For this exhibition, Ann delved into the textile collections of the Neill-Cochran House Museum, immersing herself in hundreds of photographs and hours of study to understand the stories behind these fabrics.
Threads of Her Story invites you to remember the hands, energy, and stories sewn into every quilt and every garment, preserving the fingerprints of history that remain indelibly part of Austin’s legacy. Both the garments and quilts were crafted with intention, serving as both practical items and beautiful expressions of their makers’ talents. History is woven into each piece, preserving the legacy of the women who used their skills to bring warmth, beauty, and meaning to their homes and communities.
Important dateS
selected images
About the artist
As an artist, Ann Flemings reflects on the female perspective throughout Austin’s history, a theme that resonates with the Museum’s own history as a property owned by Texas women. Her work is not just an artistic endeavor, but a personal journey influenced by her own heritage.
Flemings’ creative roots began with her grandmother, an avid crafter, which shaped her understanding of how history is often passed down in the quiet, intimate spaces of family life—whether in a kitchen, sitting room, or garden.
Flemings’ working studio at the Canopy complex on Springdale Road is where she hones her dedication to her painting craft. She participates in Open Studio events every first Saturday of the month. For more information about Ann and her work, please visit FlemingsArt.com.
Sponsors
Opening Reception Sponsor - Brilliant Smiles, Glenda Smith, DDS
Become a sponsor for this exhibition or an exhibition-related event? Download the Sponsorship Packet here, or contact Cristina Feldott at (512) 478-2335 or cfeldott@nchmuseum.org.