The Attic Gallery was packed Friday evening with people anxious to meet renowned quilter Yvonne Wells, as well as view some of her art pieces.

Unlike most quilters, Wells does not use a pattern. She said she just creates from the heart using whatever may be at hand that will help tell her story.

“For those of you who don’t know Yvonne Wells, she is nationally acclaimed quilter,” gallery owner Lesley Silver said.

“She has shown her work in Italy, she has shown her work in France and in Canada,” Silver said, and she even has pieces hanging in the Smithsonian.

“We are honored to have her in Vicksburg and feel like we are sharing something that is very important.”

Many of the quilts that were hung on the third floor of the gallery, which also serves as the home to Silver and her husband, Daniel Boone, represented what Wells called her sociopolitical quilts and during her talk, she walked around the room with a cane pointing out the details on her quilts— small and large —that represented her visions of social justices and injustices.

“The quilts really pop more than I expected. They are wonderful,” gallery attendee Elizabeth Guilder said.

“The quilts are so thought through and they are not strident. They are not one-sided. They convey a perspective that comes out of really having suffered and thought about,” Guider said.

“I thought this was fabulous,” attendee Beth Palmer said of the event.

“The quilts are inspiring, illuminating and incredible,” Palmer said.

Kathryn Loyacono described Wells’ quilts as “very moving and enlightening.”

Gallery goer Deborah Betts concurred.

“It was really emotional as she was talking. Just the artwork and effort she puts in almost leaves you speechless,” Betts said.

The quilts will continue to hang on the third floor of the gallery, Silver said, through the month of February and will be available to view from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 601-638-9221.