Story Stitchers are communicators, artists and storytellers. Activities focus work within two main programs — publishing which includes music, discussions and related videos, the Not Another One! A Discussion book with foreword by Jason Q. Purnell, Ph.D. MPH, 2017, the Trap Life – Where Teen Choices Matter board game, 2017, and Curating Teen Voices: Coming of Age portfolio, edition of 10, 2017 and public presentation and performance including community building through the Pick the City UP Tour, 2017, exhibition at Bruno David Gallery, and numerous live theatrical and musical performances such as 3 consecutive years in the University of Missouri Extension’s St. Louis Storytelling Festival, 2015-17.
Artists and youth work collaboratively, building an integrated body of work over time, and partner with organizations and individuals.
Pick the City UP came from a line in one of the teen’s lyrics and offers performances to community organizers in neighborhoods where Stitchers youth live. Performances serve as a spark for community-building and neighbors are encouraged to invite health care providers to build knowledge of existing resources.
Raw, authentic locally relevant messages and lessons on the African American urban experience including self-worth, gun safety, strategic thinking, and youth roles and rights in society are shared through the arts at some of the city’s finest cultural venues such as the Contemporary Art Museum tonight and stages such as the .ZACK on September 29th, as well as at City of St. Louis Department of Health PIER Fairs in Marquette and Gregory J. Carter Park, neighborhood block parties in JeffvanderLou and Dutchtown, in the City Juvenile Detention Center and at St. Louis Fringe Fest in Grand Center.
Youth working directly with the Collective gain job training, stronger resumes, community service hours, references, mentoring, and experience a new way of thinking through research and exposure to cultural institutions and businesses.
As performers, Story Stitchers present with a powerful presence of engaged youth served by hip, relevant adult mentors who care about themselves, about others and about healing the city they love.
Join us TONIGHT if you love St. Louis! And help to Pick the City UP!
TH July 27, 2017
Contemporary Art Museum
3750 Washington Blvd, 63108
Event time: 6:30-8:00
Live Performances 6:30 and 7:15!
OPEN to the PUBLIC and FREE!
Saint Louis Story Stitchers is pleased to announce that Master Storyteller Bobby Norfolk, will be joining the Collective for the Pick the City UP Tour at the Contemporary Art Museum! Mr. Norfolk, an internationally known story performer and teaching artist, three-time Emmy Award winner, multiple Parents’ Choice Gold and Silver Award winner and Storytelling Oracle Award recipient, is one of the most popular and dynamic story-educators in America today!
Story Stitchers will bring the African American urban experience to life in conjunction with the Contemporary Art Museum’s current exhibition: Urban Planning: Art and the City 1967-2017. This is a one of a kind performance with a cameo appearances by violinist Mario Miles Turnage and Sherry Gates aka Buddy and performances by Story Stitchers artists in residence Aigner Crawley aka NewNu and Jarmel Reece, and a viewing of the Curating Teen Voices: Coming of Age portfolio with Mariana Parisca, plus your favorite young stars from the Stitchers Teen Council will promote #dropthegun and #keepthepeace with performances that showcase their desire for a healthier, safer city for all.
It’s a can’t miss show!!
Live hip hop and spoken word!! All original, all St. Louis.
Family-friendly and FREE!
Pay tribute, join the fun and make a difference!
Special thanks to the Pick the City UP Tour Sponsors —
Arts and Education Council Monsanto Creative Impact Grant, Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Department of Health of the City of St. Louis, Rome West Realty, LLC, Gun Violence Initiative at the Institute for Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, Steward Family Foundation, St. Louis Fringe Fest, Steward Family Foundation, Civic Engagement Fund grant from the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement at Washington University in St. Louis, Yvette and John Dubinsky Family Foundation, Ken and Nancy Kranzberg, and generous individuals.
Mr. Norfolk’s performance is sponsored in part by the St. Louis Storytelling Festival and the Community Arts Program of the University of Missouri Extension through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Special thanks to the Contemporary Art Museum for their support of this performance and of the Pick the City UP Tour with the CAM Art Bus, and for welcoming the Collective into the Museum for a tour of the exhibition.
Next show is Saturday, July 29, 6:00 PM in Dutchtown at Thomas Dunn Learning Center.
For more on the Pick the City UP Tour visit: LIVE SHO’S
