Still relevent

When we started this exhibit 4 years ago we thought that after 6 months the work would be irrelevant because surely an administration so obviously and blatantly corrupt could not survive longer than that.  But alas, here we are and the work made for that exhibit is just as relevant today as it was then.   Over 500 entries were received and 64 were chosen to travel across the US for 2 years.  The original website with all the pieces on it was taken down when the exhibit retired from it’s run but here on the blog you can still view the pieces that travelled, read the artist statement for each and listen to a short recording by the artist talking about the piece they made.  You’ll find them by selecting the featured artist label from the list of labels on the right hand side of the blog or by clicking here.

Threads of Resistance in Rochester NY schedule change

We were notified today by the organizers of Experience FiberArt, Inc. that they have changed the dates that Threads of Resistance will be exhibited in Rochester, NY. 

Threads of Resistance will now officially open at Experience Fiber on Aug. 17 at the Times Square Building at 45 Exchange Blvd. in Rochester, NY. There is free admission. The opening reception is Aug. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. The exhibit closes Aug. 25 at 4 p.m.   The exhibit will be available for viewing from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. with no appointment necessary on August 17, 18, 19, 24 and 25th.  To see the exhibit on August 21, 22 or 23rd please schedule an appointment by emailing experiencefiberart@yahoo.com

The exhibition had previously been scheduled for Aug. 3-24.

Experience FiberArt, Inc. organizer Julie Brandon said that the change to the schedule was necessary to accommodate the entire exhibition. “The space we use is generously donated by building owners. After doing some calculations, we realized we needed a bigger space. In addition, for visibility, we wanted to make sure it had the best location possible. The logistics of that move needed to be coordinated with what was available in the building…. we have a beautiful ground floor space starting on August 6.”

There is the possibility that the exhibit will be hung and available to view as early as Aug. 11. To make an appointment to view the exhibition before Aug. 17, and before making travel arrangements, please contact Experience FiberArt, Inc. at experiencefiberart@yahoo.com

WANT TO KNOW MORE?  Click here to visit the Experience FiberArt, Inc. website

Border Wall Quilt Project

Here’s another exhibition in the works that addresses a Trump administration policy. This one deals with issues surrounding the construction of a wall between the United States and Mexico. It is being organized by art quilter Lea McComas. 

Here’s information from her:

The Border Wall Quilt Project is a visual representation of a discussion about the proposed border wall between Mexico and the United States. Let’s use our medium and our skills to explore all aspects of this issue and what it would mean to those on both sides. Together, let’s consider political, environmental, cultural, and economic factors. Quilters in the United States and Mexico are invited to participate. 

To be a part of the Border Wall Quilt Project, create and donate up to 3 small quilted pieces, 8” x 16” ( 20 × 40 cm) expressing your views, concerns, and feelings about the proposed border wall between the US and Mexico and issues related to immigration. Under the direction of fiber artist Lea McComas, these small quilts will be used as “bricks” to build a wall about the wall. The quilt bricks will be used to create 10-foot sections of wall. Sections of wall will be placed back to back so that the installation can be viewed from both sides. In place of mortar, bricks will be suspended to create gaps that allow viewers on each side to see and hear each other. The wall will continue grow as more, and more, bricks are donated.

More information and Call for Entries at www.borderwallquiltproject.com

ToR featured in Australian magazine

Threads of Resistance is honored to be featured in an article by Maureen McKenzie in the March issue of Australian magazine “Textile Fibre Forum.” The article details how fiber art has been used in many protests around the world, and includes detailed information and photos about many pieces from the ToR exhibition. 

Viewers react

The “Threads of Resistance” exhibition was well received at the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Minneapolis, MN. The next stop? The Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Mass., where it will be shown December 9, 2017 - February 18, 2018. 

Here are comments from viewers at the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Minneapolis, MN:

Absolutely loved the “Threads of Resistance” exhibit and cannot understand why some were “warned” off. We live in a diverse country and art should NOT be censored!

The Threads of Resistance exhibit was must amazing and worthwhile. Too difficult to find. Unfortunately, this exhibit was not available for all men of Minnesota and women, too. We all need to see these pieces of art and how they represent our life today.

I loved seeing the Threads of Resistance Display. I know it’s controversial but art is self-expression, so since you had that to draw me in, I’ll be back nexst time. 

The Resistance quilt display was fantastic. Found it very moving and would recommend it to people who do not sew.     

Loved the “Stitch the Resistance” quilt display. This is modern, forward thinking.

The Quilt displays were wonderful. We – a group of us – were thrilled with the fabulous “Threads of Resistance” political quilts. What a display – so inspiring to see talented artists/quilters speaking out on important women’s, race, political issues that impact us all. WELL DONE EXPO !!! So impressive!!

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Threads of Resistance display and congratulate you on your courage to include it. The artistry and eloquence of the quilters was truly inspiring. Thank you, thank you, thank you.  

The Threads of Resistance Expo was fabulous. I am glad that you were brave enough to present it. Thank you!

And comments from viewers at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell MA:

Love this show: talented, brainy artists

Thank you all soooo much

I feel extremely emotionally empowered. Women working together and making art can save the world.

Made me think!

Inspiring, Powerful!

The art helps channel, express, focus the rage and terror. We must unite and act.

Wonderful exhibit. Heart wrenching at the same time.

Very much impressed by the way these women express their discomfort - strong!

Very powerful - good to know quilts can be a method of resistance.

Thoughtful expressions of what I am feeling.

Completely blown away. Art/artists like these give me hope.

Moving, powerful, now more than ever.

Powerful and so hopeful for our future.

Stunning – overwhelming. 

Like group therapy, thank you!

Quilting Arts magazine covers "Craftivism"

Have you seen the new issue of Quilting Arts magazine? Several of the articles are about protest art. “Threads of Resistance” is mentioned in Cate Prato’s article “Craftivism: Taking a Stand with Needle and Thread.” It has photos of “She Persisted” by Betty Busby, “Not So Safe” by Amy Dame, and “What Does an American Look Like” by the Pixieladies. 

Betty Busby’s piece in the story about Craftivism.

There’s also an article on Chawne Kimber, who makes quilts with strong social messages, some dealing with issues of race. 

A gallery of quilts from the “HERstory: A Celebration of Strong Women” exhibition commemorates the upcoming 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. 

“With the Wind and the Stars” by Ricki Selva featured in an article about the HERstory exhibition.

Make sure to read Vivika Hansen DeNegre’s editor’s note: she makes the point that this is not a quilting magazine; it’s an art quilting magazine, and that art often makes a social or political statement. 


As expected, covering this topic – and including controversial pieces on the Quilting Arts blog –  has drawn the ire of some readers who don’t agree with the artist’s views, or who think art quilts should only be pretty and not political. Recent Quilting Arts/Quilting Daily blog posts that reference Craftivism are here: 
http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blog/fiber-art-takes-stand
http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blog/meet-artist-month-judy-coates-perez

ToR featured on TV news in Lowell, Mass.

Threads of Resistance is getting more media coverage. Here's a segment from a local television news station in Lowell, Mass., where the New England Quilt Museum – the exhibition's first stop – is based. Sue Bleiweiss, one of the members of the Artist Circle Alliance, is featured. 

You can watch the episode on YouTube below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC9h-TAvTCA&feature=youtu.be The ToR segment starts at the 7:30 point.