Written By: Naomi K. at Foster City Library
Every December 1st, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is exhibited virtually in many cities across the country beyond its current home in San Francisco, California. Initiated by Cleve Jones with just a single panel, the quilt now holds about 50,000 panels, all of which stitch tender memories of people’s loved ones who have lost their lives to AIDS. As one of the largest community arts projects in the world, the impact of this quilt continues to transcend its initial beginnings. Cleve’s grief practice, in memory of his friend Marvin Feldman, transformed into a focal point of AIDS and healthcare activism and an important piece of LGBTQ+ history. This is the power of communal art practice.
Through all our sewing programs, you can kickstart your own impactful communal quilt project at San Mateo County Libraries. Not only are these programs beginner friendly, but they also offer you an opportunity to learn something new with supplies such as fabrics and sewing machines provided to you free of charge.
We also have Open Sewing Labs that are another great space to expand your sewing skills and experiment with your craft. If you prefer to work on your project at home, check out one of our sewing machines instead!
Recommended Reads
To learn more about the power of communal art projects, check out these recommended reads.
Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism
The Quilt: Stories from the NAMES project
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