'They all have meaning' | Exhibition of African-American women's hats on display at Bottle Works

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Heritage, spirituality and personal expression are celebrated in this stylish showcase.

The “I Shall Wear a Crown” exhibition of the history of African-American women’s hats is on display through July 21 in the main gallery at Bottle Works, 411 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.

The show is a celebration of hats and the cultural significance within the Black community.

Hats, especially those worn on Sunday to church, became a signature expression of a resilient past that did not always value Black women and their beauty. Hats became an important way to express confidence and beauty, and remind the wearers to carry themselves like queens. The hats are often referred to as “crowns.”

Eventually, Black communities began to showcase the beauty and creativity of hats and those who wore them at hat shows.

The show provides a space for community bonding and storytelling, allowing participants to share their experiences and traditions while celebrating their unique sense of style. The hats highlight the importance of cultural pride and the power of fashion as forms of self- expression and connection within the African-American community.

Marsha Chaney, owner of the hats, said the show was the idea of her daughter, Mellanie McDowell, and her niece, Kourtney King-Square, who are members of Johnstown Women of Influence.

“They wanted to do this as part of the Juneteenth celebration, as a way to honor the African-American church ladies and their hats and also recognize the 20 years ‘The Hat Ladies’ did performances and events,” she said. “You never went anywhere without a hat. You didn’t go to the doctor’s office, to a school function, shopping or even cleaning the church without covering your head. The ladies took it as a badge of honor and prestige.”

The show includes more than 50 hats from Chaney’s vast collection of 500 hats that she and the late Patricia Holifield modeled as part of “The Hat Ladies.”

“Some of the hats we were given,” Chaney said. “We did shows throughout western Pennsylvania, and after the shows, someone would come up to us and say they have their mom’s hat or grandmother’s hat and wanted to know if we would like to have them and keep them.”

The display features vintage and contemporary styles.

“These are church lady hats,” Chaney said.

“These are the hats that went to church on Sunday. I still wear my vintage hats, and hats that I purchased 10, 15 and 20 years ago, and they all have meaning.”

Also featured in the exhibition are photographs from previous hat shows along with recent shots of community women posing in displayed hats.

“Not only do you see the hat, but you see it on somebody’s head,” Chaney said. “It’s like looking at a dress on a hanger.

“You look at it and don’t like it until you put it on and see how nice it is.”

She hopes people will learn more about the stories the hats have to tell.

“I hope they experience nostalgia, and reverence for the God we serve because these hats were to represent and glorify him, and a sense of style in that old-style dress up that we don’t do anymore,” Chaney said.

“We want to elevate women to want to wear a hat to church on Sunday or pull out grandma’s hat. Maybe it will also bring back some fond memories.”

Matt Lamb, executive director of Bottle Works, said Bottle Works was the host of “The Hat Ladies” annual hat show for many years during Black History Month, so it seemed appropriate to host an exhibition of those hats.

“Part of what Bottle Works does through the arts is celebrate cultural heritage and this is rich cultural heritage for our community,” he said. “We’re all about celebrating the Johnstown community for what it is and looking at all the great things that are here. We want to bring that to the forefront.”

Lamb said he hopes people will gain a better understanding of the rich history of the hats in the Black community and why they are worth acknowledging.

“Through the folk arts, we celebrate generational arts and this is kind of generational fashion,” he said.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a Hat Works workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Instructors will be on hand to assist attendees with decorating hats with materials of their choice that will be provided.

White baseball caps and beach hats will be available.

“This is a way to get the community involved with the exhibit,” Lamb said. “Through research, I found out that hat painting is a real thing out there in the world and a lot of folks are doing it. It’s a perfect fit for us, and the community can take part in the cultural process.”

Participants are encouraged to donate their hat creations to be auctioned off at the 3rd Avenue Folk & Arts Fest that will be held July 20 and 21.

In addition, Open-Mic Night Poetry Works will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. July 13 at Jackie’s Garden Works.

The event will feature local poets and DJ Zay Brick. Appetizers will be provided by Luxury Events & Catering and a cash bar will be available.

There is no fee to attend the exhibitions.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

For more information, call 814-535-2020 or visit www.bottleworks.org.