Bandy Heritage Center continues lecture series in textile and fiber arts

Dalton, GA (02/05/2026) — The Bandy Heritage Center for Northwest Georgia will continue its public lecture series that explores Northwest Georgia's rich textile and fiber arts history. The two upcoming spring programs will highlight the region's influential role in the development of candlewicking, chenille fashion and the modern carpet industry.

"These traditions helped shape both our local culture and the broader national textile landscape," said Matthew Gramling, director of the Bandy Heritage Center. "We hope the community will join us for these insightful lectures as we continue exploring the stories, people and innovations that make Northwest Georgia's textile history so remarkable."

Ashley Callahan will present the third lecture, "Catherine Evans Whitener and Other Women of Northwest Georgia's Tufted Fashion Industry," on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the main gallery at the Creative Arts Guild. Callahan will discuss the history of candlewick and chenille garment production in Northwest Georgia from the 1920s through the 1950s. Callahan will highlight the roles of Catherine Evans Whitener and other women who were the leaders and innovators in the field.

Callahan is an independent scholar and former curator of decorative arts at the Georgia Museum of Art. She holds a Master of Arts in the History of American Decorative Arts from Parsons School of Design and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, and a bachelor's degree in art history from Sewanee, the University of the South. She is a published author of works including "Southern Tufts: The Regional Origins and National Craze for Chenille Fashion" and "Frankie Welch's Americana: Fashion, Scarves, and Politics"

Randall Patton will present the fourth and final lecture in the series, "Tufted Textiles Take the Floor," on Thursday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the Derrell C. Roberts Library at Dalton State College. Patton will focus on the early history of carpet manufacturing in the Dalton area, focusing on the development of tufting machine technology, and the changes in the national marketplace that facilitated the rise of tufted carpeting.

Patton is a professor of history and the Shaw Industries Distinguished Chair at Kennesaw State University. His writings on the industrial and labor history of Georgia have appeared in multiple scholarly publications, including the Georgia Historical Quarterly and the New Georgia Encyclopedia. He is coauthor of "Carpet Capital: The Rise of a New South Industry" and author of published works including "Shaw Industries: A History."

Lecture series sponsors are Derrell C. Roberts Library, Dalton State Appalachian Studies Minor Program, Prater's Mill Foundation, Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association, Friends of New Echota, Chattanooga Fiber Arts Guild, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Birchwood Fiber Festival.

For information on the lecture series and other upcoming events, visit www.bandyheritagecenter.org/ or call 706-272-4452.

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Catherine Evans Whitener

Catherine Evans Whitener, shown holding tufted quilts, is recognized as the founding mother of Northwest Georgia’s tufted textile industry. Her pioneering work will be featured in the Bandy Heritage Center’s public lecture series with a presentation by Ashley Callahan on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the main gallery of the Creative Arts Guild in Dalton, Ga.

Dalton State College

Bandy Heritage Center continues lecture series in textile and fiber arts

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Dalton State College

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