Leading scholars and practitioners will gather at Rice University Friday night, Nov. 5 to discuss the art of quilting as part of the "Hearts, Hands & Heritage: The Patchwork of the Soul of Women" quilt exhibition.

A panel discussion at 7 p.m. in the Rice Media Center will feature commentary from Marcia Brennan, Rice associate professor of art history; Lauren Cross, writer, activist and interdisciplinary artist; Jill Rimes, founder of SunFlower Quilts; and Bob Rugierio, director of publications and public information of Quilts Inc.

The discussion will be followed by a presentation of "People's Choice" awards for the quilts in this year's exhibition. The awardees were chosen via an online competition.

The quilt exhibition, which is on display at the Rice Media Center on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 19, aims to illustrate a broad range of artistic techniques and inspirations, shed light on the lives and experiences of quilt makers and examine the role women have played in education, politics, religion, the arts, business, the family and more. Rice graduate student Aundrea Matthews produced and curated this collection of powerful works of art.

The event is sponsored by Houston Enriches Rice Education and co-sponsored by the Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts.