Peace in the Prairie film in 3 channels will be available for online viewing April 23-30, 2022.
The film is also available for screening by groups in-person and virtually.
Please inquire at storystitchers@gmail.com.
Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective presents Peace in the Prairie, an original presentation exploring the concepts of peace and violence, juxtaposing urban life as experienced by African American people living in the city of St. Louis, Missouri and the state’s endangered prairie lands.
Is the path towards peace through Missouri’s native prairies?
The 2022 rendition of the film, Peace in the Prairie, 6 years in the making, tells the stories of black Missourians grappling with trauma from poverty and gun violence, turning towards Missouri’s natural public lands, especially its beautiful endangered prairie lands, for healing and peace.
Peace in the Prairie is unique to Missouri, generated by local artists and residents reflecting on loss and resilience in the human experience and rejuvenation in nature.
Leading Story Stitchers artists in residence Troy Anthony, KP Dennis, Ntegrity, Quinsonta Boyd, and Master Storyteller Bobby Norfolk, contributing artist Susan Colangelo, and special guest artists, legendary St. Louis soul vocalist, Roland Johnson, and videographer Meghan Kirkwood, Assistant Professor of Art in the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, award-winning krump dancer Rich Gzelka, joined by leading performing artists from Story Stitchers Youth Council, will treat you to a memorable and inspiring journey.
Since 2016, the artists have explored and recorded native prairie landscapes via trips to Missouri prairie reserves including Shaw Nature Reserve of the Missouri Botanical Garden in Gray Summit, with the Missouri Prairie Foundation at at Linden’s Prairie in Mt. Vernon, Missouri and at Prairie Star Restoration Farm in Osage County, Prairie State Park in Mindenmines, Missouri in Barton County near Joplin, and Dunn Ranch Prairie of The Nature Conservancy in Hatfield, Missouri.
Peace in the Prairie expands the artistic body of work of African American artists in the Collective, addresses the community need of understanding violence while seeking peace, supports the exploration of new natural settings by both artists and audiences, and supports the greater understanding of Missouri’s unique natural heritage in its native prairie lands.
