Shelly Zegart of Louisville, Kentucky, was a visionary cultural figure whose life’s work redefined the place of quilts in American art and history. A dynamic curator, author, speaker, and nonprofit leader, she helped shift the perception of quilts from humble domestic artifacts to celebrated expressions of artistic, historical, and social significance. Born on March 11, 1941, in Monessen, Pennsylvania, Shelly grew up in a home where civic responsibility and the arts were integral to daily life. Her father’s dedication to public service and her mother’s passion for music nurtured in her a deep commitment to cultural storytelling, preservation, and advocacy.
She pursued a degree in education at the University of Michigan and, in 1962, married Dr. Kenneth “Kenny” Zegart, a devoted OB-GYN and champion for women’s healthcare. Together they raised two daughters, Terri and Amy, while building a family life rooted in compassion, creativity, and community service. In 1968, the Zegarts made Louisville their home—a city where Shelly would go on to leave an indelible mark.
Shelly Zegart introducing Chuck Brymer at the Brown Theater in conversation with Maggie Harlow in October 2018
Shelly’s transformative journey into the world of quilts began in the 1970s during her work with the Louisville Visual Art Association. What started as an aesthetic fascination quickly grew into a profound realization: these intricate textile creations, often made by American women, were being overlooked by the broader art world. They held stories of identity, resilience, and artistry—but had been largely excluded from institutional recognition. Determined to change that, Shelly immersed herself in collecting and researching antique quilts, developing a connoisseur’s eye and a scholar’s discipline.
Her advocacy evolved into a mission that spanned decades. Through exhibitions, lectures, documentaries, and writing, she brought quilts to the forefront of academic, artistic, and cultural conversations. Her private collection, a reflection of both her curatorial rigor and emotional connection to the medium, gained national attention and was eventually acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago in 2001—a lasting testament to her influence.
In the early 1980s, she co-founded the Kentucky Quilt Project, the first statewide quilt documentation effort in the United States. This pioneering initiative sought to document and preserve the stories behind quilts across Kentucky, ensuring that the women who made them—often uncredited or forgotten—would be remembered and celebrated. Her efforts were so influential that they inspired similar documentation projects across the country. In 1993, Shelly went on to co-found the Alliance for American Quilts, serving as a board member and helping launch The Quilt Index, an expansive digital archive of American quilts and quiltmakers. Her leadership within these organizations established her as one of the foremost authorities on quilting in the United States.
Shelly Zegart, Lousiville, Kentucky Profile
- Name: Shelly Zegart
- Age: 84 (born March 11, 1941 – died July 22, 2025)
- Place and Date of Birth: Monessen, Pennsylvania, USA; March 11, 1941
- Nationality: American
- Education: Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Michigan
- Career: Quilt collector, curator, author, advocate, cultural preservationist
- Founder and CEO of: Kentucky to the World, a nonprofit cultural organization based in Louisville, KY
- Achievements: Co-founded the Kentucky Quilt Project, the first statewide quilt documentation project in the U.S.
Co-founded the Alliance for American Quilts and helped launch the Quilt Index digital archive
Authored American Quilt Collections: Antique Quilt Masterpieces
Produced and hosted the PBS documentary series *Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics*
Received Kentucky’s Governor’s Folk Heritage Award in 2020 - Biography Highlights:
- Pioneered recognition of quilts as important American cultural and artistic artifacts
Developed one of the largest personal quilt collections, later acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago
Led Kentucky to the World to highlight Kentucky’s cultural contributions globally - Spouse: Dr. Kenneth “Kenny” Zegart (OB/GYN physician), married 1962
- Children: Two daughters, Terri and Dr. Amy Zegart
- Family: Survived by daughters, grandchildren, siblings Janis and Jay, and extended family
- Cause of Death: Not publicly specified; passed peacefully in Louisville, KY
In addition to her organizational and curatorial work, Shelly was an accomplished author and speaker. Her book, *American Quilt Collections: Antique Quilt Masterpieces*, was published in Tokyo by Nihon Vogue in 1998 and remains a respected resource in textile and art history circles. She traveled extensively, lecturing internationally on topics like “Quilts as Women’s Art” and “Political Quilts,” bringing widespread academic and public attention to the deeper social narratives embedded in fabric and thread. Perhaps her most widely recognized achievement came through media, when she produced and hosted the documentary series *Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics*, which aired on PBS. The nine-part series explored the meaning, impact, and history of quilts in America, and was praised for its depth, clarity, and emotional resonance.
In her later years, Shelly expanded her focus beyond quilts to explore broader cultural narratives. In 2012, she founded Kentucky to the World (KTW), a Louisville-based nonprofit dedicated to showcasing the work and influence of Kentuckians in the global landscape. As Founder and CEO, she spearheaded a multimedia storytelling platform that hosted public speaker series, published educational content, and produced video segments highlighting Kentuckians making a difference in various fields—from arts and business to science and social justice. Her goal was to correct misconceptions about Kentucky by amplifying the stories of its most inspiring people. Through KTW, she built a bridge between local heritage and global impact, giving voice to stories that might otherwise be overlooked.
Throughout her life, Shelly remained a deeply engaged member of her community and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She and Dr. Kenny Zegart shared a marriage of over sixty years until his passing. Her daughter Amy Zegart became a noted political scientist and academic, reflecting the family’s commitment to scholarship and service. Shelly’s extensive archive, which includes quilts, documents, books, and audiovisual materials, has been donated to institutions like the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University, ensuring her legacy endures in educational and cultural research.
Shelly Zegart passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, at the age of 84, surrounded by family and loved ones in Louisville. Her life’s work transformed how quilts are understood in America, preserving them as cultural treasures and elevating the voices of the women who made them. As a visionary, educator, and storyteller, she devoted her life to preserving heritage, promoting art, and helping people see the beauty and significance in stories too often ignored.