Who is Joe Cunningham?

Joe Cunningham began making quilts professionally in 1979, after a ten-year career as a musician in Michigan. His early mentors were steeped in the history and traditions of quilts, leading Cunningham to a life of study in quilt history and a love of traditional technique. Over the years his quilts have evolved into a unique, personal style. His quilts are in the permanent collections of museums, as well as in numerous private collections. Cunningham’s 11 books on quilts include the 2010 book “Men and the Art of Quiltmaking,” (the first book on the subject), a museum catalogue for the Shelburne Museum's exhibition, "Man-Made Quilts: Civil War to the Present," and his essay for the de Young Museum show "Amish Abstractions: Quilts from the Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown." His column for the national magazine The Quilt Life is called “Biased and Edgy.” He has been seen on the Peabody Award winning PBS series "Craft in America," the HGTV series “Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson”, the PBS series “Sewing with Nancy” and on “The Quilt Show” with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.” He gives talks about quilts and teaches workshops nationwide.