MONTGOMERY, Ala. (July 7, 2026) — A new chapter in the story of Gee's Bend opens with the grand opening of Willie Quill's Quilt Studio & Pantry, the Wilcox County community's newest visitor attraction and the first artist-run quilt studio in Gee's Bend to regularly welcome the public.
The grand opening, set for Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., features quilt sales, storytelling, local food and children’s activities.
Owned by acclaimed Gee's Bend quilter Emma Pettway and her husband, Melvin Pettway Sr., Willie Quill's offers visitors an authentic place to experience the living tradition of Gee's Bend quilting while enjoying the warmth and hospitality that have long defined this historic Alabama community.
Conveniently located beside the Gee’s Bend Ferry Landing in Boykin on the banks of the Alabama River, Willie Quill's features Emma's working quilt studio, live quilting demonstrations, handmade quilts and gifts for purchase, cold drinks, snacks, locally baked treats and a welcoming porch where guests can relax and watch the ferry cross the river.
Named in honor of Melvin Pettway Sr.'s father, Willie Quill Pettway, a farmer, ferry operator, Civil Rights advocate, and community leader who tirelessly promoted Gee’s Bend’s self-sufficiency and dignity, the new landmark celebrates family, craftsmanship and the stories woven into every quilt.
"This is a place to truly slow down and experience the artistry and hospitality of Gee’s Bend," said Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association Director Pam Swanner. "It’s the perfect place to pull up a chair, sip something cold, enjoy a locally made treat and experience the beauty, creativity and community that make Gee's Bend extraordinary."
The grand opening celebration promises a full day of family-friendly activities, including quilt sales, studio tours, quilting demonstrations, storytelling, children's activities and delicious local food. Melvin Pettway Jr. plans to grill bratwursts and hamburgers served alongside seasonal homemade sides.
From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the grand opening features a unique event, as visitors are invited to participate in Porch Stories, a Visit Gee's Bend-sponsored storytelling and family activity series centered on the theme "Surviving the Season the Old Way." Community members will share memories of growing up in Gee's Bend while children and families participate in hands-on activities exploring local traditions, seasonal knowledge and everyday life in the community.
Grand opening guests are also encouraged to experience one of Gee's Bend's most beloved traditions by exploring the community and viewing quilts displayed on clotheslines in neighborhood yards. The quilts serve as an open invitation for visitors to stop, admire the work, meet the artists and learn firsthand about the generations-old quilting tradition that has made Gee's Bend internationally renowned.
More than a gift shop or studio, Willie Quill's Quilt Studio & Pantry is a gathering place where visitors can connect with local artists, hear family stories, and experience the rich cultural heritage that continues to thrive in Gee's Bend.
Whether arriving by ferry or road, visitors to Willie Quill's will discover a place where art, history and hospitality converge — one quilt, one story and one porch conversation at a time.
“For anyone seeking an authentic Alabama cultural experience, Willie Quill's Quilt Studio & Pantry offers a warm welcome and a front-row seat to one of America's most celebrated quilting traditions in the heart of Alabama’s Black Belt,” Swanner said.
The Black Belt includes the following 23 counties: Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox.
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The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) is a regional destination marking organization dedicated to the promotion of outdoor recreational opportunities, cultural heritage and attractions, themed trails, the arts, events/festivals, culinary scene and experiential travel across Alabama’s 23-county, historic Black Belt Region. For information, go to www.alabamablackbeltadventures.org.
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