Pop-Up Quilt displayed for the first time in Campbell River at the CRAG May 23rd and 24th
Stitched in Solidarity is the first exhibition in Campbell River of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign commemorative quilt, made in honour of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s 20th anniversary. The quilt is a symbol of solidarity, stitched together with contributions from grandmothers across Canada and six countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Over four months, 20 groups in 10 Canadian communities assembled the quilt.
The CR Grandmothers to Grandmothers group reached out to the Campbell River Art Gallery to host the local pop-up.
“It warms our hearts to celebrate the contributions of these socially minded elders in our community. We are really proud to be a local venue for this important touring artistic and advocacy project, The CRAG is supporting the local chapter of members of this global initiative by hosting a pop-up exhibition of their collaboratively made quilt,” says the CRAG’s Curator of Contemporary Art Jenelle Pasiechnik.
The run of the exhibition saw over 50 people including a class of high school students from a local fibre arts program who were able to converse with the grandmothers and discuss techniques, material and application with some of the makers of the quilt.
This program was launched in solidarity with grandmothers struggling to support their community’s share of the estimated ten million orphaned children who were cared for by their grandmothers during the AIDS pandemics of the 1980’s and 90’s, and beyond. The quilt has been stitched together by members of grandmothers’ groups across Canada, with hands-on contributions from over 300 women in Canada and Africa.
This campaign is comprised of a community of like-minded grandmothers and grandothers in Canada, the U.K., and Australia. They raise funds for Stephen Lewis Foundation partners who support grandmothers and children in communities affected by the HIV epidemic.
Campbell River Grandmothers to Grandmothers raise awareness and funds, and are proud to bring this work of fabric art to Campbell River. This project is part of the CRAG’s initiatives to support and uplift local artists and organizations.
For more information see the CR Grandmothers to Grandmothers page on Facebook or online at grandmotherscampaign.org
