Gee's Bend: Get Ready

A magnificent 1000-piece puzzle featuring a colorful, intricately patterned quilt by artist Mary Lee Bendolph, matriarch of the historic quilting community in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and published by Paulson Fontaine Press in Berkeley, California.

This is the first jigsaw puzzle to feature a print of one of the fabled Gee’s Bend quilts, practical works of art created by the descendants of formerly enslaved people who settled in the rural Alabama community of Gee’s Bend. The quilters developed a distinctive geometric aesthetic that results in quilts looking much like abstract expressionist paintings while retaining the hominess, comfort, and country flavor of the traditional quilt. The inventive, improvisational patterns of these quilts and the stories about their makers have enthralled a wide audience of contemporary art lovers, quilters, folk art enthusiasts, and American history buffs.

Get Ready was created by matriarch quilt maker Mary Lee Bendolph, who descends from generations of quilt makers in Gee’s Bend, Alabama.

Mary Lee Bendolph is the matriarch and heart and soul of the Gee's Bend community, descended from generations of quiltmakers. As the cheerleader for Gee's Bend, she appeared at all the museum openings during the initial nationwide tour of the quilts and attended both of President Barack Obama's inaugurations.

Paulson Fontaine Press specializes in limited edition intaglio prints. Head Printer Pam Paulson founded Paulson Fontaine Press in 1996. Partner and Gallery Director Rhea Fontaine is one of the first Black women to publish fine art prints by contemporary artists. Dedicated to contributing to the image archive of African diaspora artists, Paulson Fontaine Press has published more than 150 editions with Black artists.