The Bricks We Wear
Maureen is at work, making the Lexington bricks. Photo credit, Maureen Worth
Lexington, Virginia is a historic town that was first founded in 1775. There is history in every building you walk into and every sidewalk you walk on. Next time you are in downtown Lexington, look at the sidewalks you are on. You will notice what is known to millions as the “Lexington Brick.” The lexington bricks are antique bricks made in the late 1800s and early 1900s, they are the bricks that form the lexington sidewalks. To highlight this great town and all of its history, artists Maureen and Rebecca Worth started the ‘Historic Brick Collection’ jewelry line.
Living in the Shenandoah Valley, these artists were first inspired in the 1990s by the old brick path they walked as locals.
“We are surrounded by the Blue Ridge and the Allegheny mountains that have been the inspiration behind our botanical lines,” said Maureen.
There is no doubt that these artists are creative, and the Lexington brick is not the only way their extraordinary minds have been displayed. They have created jewelry for the Prevent Child Abuse America Pinwheel for Prevention campaign, the PQDB Dyslexia symbol, the MLK Foundation, Arlington Cemetery, W&L Mock Con, and various other organizations. The purposes of these pieces are to raise awareness and start conversations in ways that only the language of art can.
Shockingly enough, Maureen and Rebecca Worth have their own favorite jewelry pieces.
“It has to be the Siler Brick Present and Earring collection,” said Maureen. “What I love about it is that there is a timeless quality about it, One woman referred to it as an ‘Egyptian Cartouche.’”
After 23 years of making Lexington Brick jewelry, they have introduced bags, clothing, paper goods, and various accessories that have formed their trademark Historic Brick Collection featuring the Lexington Brick.
“It is gratifying to see people claim the brick design as their own. I enjoy their comments and seeing the jewelry worn by so many people of all ages and all walks of life,” said Maureen.
Many students such as Junior Quincy Speers within our school have their own Lexington Brick that they love and cherish.
“It’s a great symbol of Lexington and a great reminder of where I come from. They have a ton of other high-quality and inexpensive pieces of lexington that you can buy,” said Jackson Speers.
You can get your own piece of Lexington at the downtown shop, Artists in Cahoots, where there are necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings with the signature Lexington Brick design.
