Stitchers collect stories, reframe and retell them through art, writing and performance to promote understanding, civic pride, intergenerational relationships and literacy. Projects create a platform for community engagement through an artistic lens and with it the Saint Louis Story Stitchers work to shift perceptions and realities and bring hope to the Saint Louis community. Our goal is to promote a better educated, more peaceful and caring region through storytelling.
Story Stitchers participate with the Moms Demand Action on #wearorange every year. Even in Covid we made a video for their virtual rally. Check it out here
This year artists were happy to get out and join others in the cause for peace and public safety as the Moms Demand Action local St. Louis Chapter rallied for changes to our nation’s public safety policies.
Youth artists sang their signature song, available on major streaming platforms:
Who’s Ready for the Violence to Stop?
Excerpt from the Lyrics
Looking at my city and I see it is in trouble
Instead of facing each other they out here facing muzzles
People droppin left to right I’m seeing families crumble
We gotta help each other cuz we’re all part of this struggle
Why we hurting each other? I look and I see double
There’s so much hurt and hopelessness that lies beneath the rubble
But if we set aside our differences we can make change
We just gotta be humble and make our way through the rain
Cuz I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of seeing pain
The gang-banging is old, gun violence is beyond lame
If we’re not tryna save our city, then we’re livin in vain
People out here taking lives like it’s a video game
What I’m saying isn’t make-believe cuz anything is possible
And if we work together we can obliterate these obstacles
So put the gun down, get up, and join the movement
Cuz there’s strength in numbers, so let’s get to it
Chorus
RESPOND ALL
We ready.
We ready.
We ready for violence to stop.
Get ready.
Get ready.
Get ready for change to come.
Whose ready?
We ready.
We ready for a revolution.
Whose ready? We ready.
We ready for the violence to stop.
The Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective is artists and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) youth ages 16-24, working together to create social change with a focus on gun violence prevention.
Story Stitchers is committed to placing youth at the center of the work both in identifying topics for exploration as well as the methods for engagement. This approach builds a community of youth and professional artists who respect one another. Gun violence continues to be a pressing public health crisis that consumes the attention of the engaged youth, and artistic expression helps youth work through the pain and loss they have experienced.
Young people ages 16-24 living in the St. Louis region are encouraged to join
Story Stitchers to support your community!
It’s free!
Catch a live show featuring youth podcasters and mentoring artists from Roland Johnson and Soul Endeavor this Friday night, June 10 at 3524 Washington Ave, 63103. It’s free! Show starts at 6:00.
Or outdoors at the East Delmar Loop Juneteenth Festival, Saturday, June 11 with a 1:00 performance and a booth from 12:00-5:00.
Learn more: Upcoming
