Four Inane Questions with textile artist Aleah Washington
Photo by Estuardo Garcia
2025 is shaping up nicely for Aleah Washington. Late last year, the textile artist was one of three winners of the coveted annual Charlotte Street Visual Artist Awards. Along with painter Juan Diego Gaucin and multi-media installation artist Kevin Demery, her work is being featured at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s 2024 Charlotte Street Visual Artist Awards exhibition, which runs through August.
Washington—a 2022 Kansas City Art Institute graduate—tells us her exhibition Slowly Drifting includes a selection of her vibrant quilts and colored pencil drawings. As part of the museum’s ongoing “KC Art Now” initiative, her quilts piece together stories of oppressive systems such as redlining and explore complex issues like displacement, urban decay, and the relationship to natural resources.
From topographical maps to textiles, Washington’s abstract art uses a variety of textures to create playful, improvisational, and mindful pieces.
We caught up with the Dallas native (who now calls KC home) to pepper her with our random smattering of questions. She was totally up to the challenge. Bless.
Photo by Estuardo Garcia
The Pitch: What’s your most beloved game on The Price Is Right?
Aleah Washington: In all honesty, I didn’t watch a lot of The Price Is Right. My go-to shows were Family Feud with Steve Harvey and Deal Or No Deal.
But, if I had to pick a favorite game out of the many, it might have to be It’s In The Bag. I feel like I’m pretty good at matching items to their price value—especially if I have the numbers already to pair them.
Bonkers, on the other hand, would be my backup game. Running back and forth and matching items in 30 seconds seems do-able.
Fess up, what’s your favorite part of any museum?
It definitely depends on the season. In the spring and summer, I love the sculpture gardens! Seeing everything bloom and being able to lose track of time is the best way to enjoy fresh air.
During the colder months, I love the modern and contemporary art areas. It’s nice to see what current art is getting exposure and it’s nice seeing what is interesting to living artists.
If you were a holiday, what holiday would you be?
I think I would love something more casual and low-key. National Donut Day on June 7 sounds right up my alley—especially if people can get one for free! Something sweet that starts your day and makes you smile is a tradition I would love to keep.
You can duet with any singer on earth. Who are you choosin’?
That’s a lot of pressure, but if I must sing a duet, please call Terrell Grice! I love watching his YouTube talk show “The Terrell Show.”
I would need him because he seems to always know the lyrics of any song and I forget them all! I would have so much fun laughing and embracing the moment and then just be able to hang out with him.
Bonus 5th Question: What color combination do you look best in?
Can I just be biased and say anything with bright colors? If not, get me in a vibrant orange and I feel like I’m glowing! It’s my favorite color but it also reminds me of sunset and sunrise.
That’s a major reason why I decided to have the gallery walls at the Nelson-Atkins this color as well. It’s so warm and helps me enjoy the day more.
