Story Stitchers took a big yellow bus to Shaw Nature Reserve on September 22, 2018 to explore prairie culture, plants and animals during the Reserve’s special event called Prairie Day. The Reserve is a part of the Missouri Botanical Garden. We saw animals, animal pelts, gun and bow makers, heard music, took a walk into the prairie with naturalist James Trager, walked into a tee pee, learned a Native American game, and much more. A great way to learn about Missouri’s natural landscapes.
To become part of Peace in the Prairie contact the Collective.
Email storystitchers@gmail.com or call 314-899-9001.
Demil Johnson, one of the lead artists on Peace in the Prairie, at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, Missouri during Prairie Day. Photo by Cali Fleming, Stitchers Youth Council
Peace in the Prairie supports the research, creation and public presentation of a completed conceptual work of art by artists exploring the juxtaposition of violence in St. Louis’s urban environment and the peacefulness of Missouri’s natural prairie landscapes. The project 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.
Leading artists in this project include Jamie KP Dennis, Reggie McNichols aka Ntegrity, Troy Anthony Swanson, Bobby Norfolk, Demil Johnson aka Superhood, and contributing artist Susan Colangelo.
To become part of Peace in the Prairie contact the Collective.
Email storystitchers@gmail.com or call 314-899-9001.
Story Stitchers at Prairie Day in Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit, September 22, 2018
PRAIRIE
1: land in or predominantly in grass 2: a broad area of level or rolling land in the MississippiRiver valley that in its natural uncultivated state has deep fertile soil, a cover of tall course grasses, and few trees
PEACE
1: a state of tranquility or quiet
2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3: harmony in personal relations
4: a state or period of mutual concord between governments
5: used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm
5 ON YOUR SIDE, Trending Stories, September 23, 2018
VIOLENCE
1: the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy
2: injury by or as if by distortion, infringement, or profanation
3: a: intense, turbulent, or furious and often destructive action or force b: vehement feeling or expression c: a clashing or jarring quality
4: undue altercation
Definitions from Merriam-Webster dictionary
To become part of Peace in the Prairie contact the Collective.
Email storystitchers@gmail.com or call 314-899-9001.
When a person lives in an urban area where sirens, screeching tires, and gunshots can be heard nightly, how will their sense of self and world view change when that person experiences and explores native prairies?
If you would like to contribute a story to the Peace in the Prairie project’s archives, about violence or peace that you have experienced in either the city or the prairie lands of Missouri, please contact Story Stitchers at storystitchers@gmail.com, call 314-899-9001, or drop by the Storefront Studio during one of the Story Collection sessions.
We’d like to hear from you.
Drop in to the Stitchers Storefront Studio at 616 N Skinker Blvd in the Delmar Loop.
Audio Recording Sessions:
Wed., September 19, 2018, 3:00-7:00
Tues., October 2, 2018, 11:00-2:00
Wed., November 7, 2018, 3:00-7:00
Peace in the Prairie is supported by an Annual Discipline Minority Arts grant from Missouri Arts Council for the research and creation of a new conceptual work of art entitled Peace in the Prairie.
The project is also supported by a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. The Foundation is a resource for the region, working with communities and nonprofits to generate and accelerate positive changes in health. As a catalyst for change, the Foundation improves the health of Missourians through a combination of partnership, experience, knowledge, and funding.
Saint Louis Story Stitchers is proud to be a sponsoring organization for
CommUNITY Arts Festival
September 8, 2018
CommUNITY Arts Festival, (CAF) a festival created in honor of Rain Stippec after a random act of gun violence in Soulard in early February 2017, continues to work for Saint Louis.
Join Saint Louis’ top artistic companies, including the Saint Louis Story Stitchers, at 7:30pm in The Grandel Theatre.
Thanks to organizations including The Big Muddy Dance Company, St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, Saint Louis Story Stitchers, and The Dark Room, our community is unified in celebrating Saint Louis culture and speaking out against violence.
Enjoy drinks, food, and live music in The Dark Room before and after the mainstage performance, filling an entire day with Saint Louis art.
There is a whole day of activities planned! For more information on performing companies, partnering organizations, and our young artist’s workshop, please visit the Festival online at https://www.communityartsfestival.com/.
Saint Louis Story Stitchers is very pleased to announce support of an Annual Discipline Minority Arts grant from Missouri Arts Council for the research and creation of a new conceptual work of art entitled Peace in the Prairie.
The project is also supported by a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. The Foundation is a resource for the region, working with communities and nonprofits to generate and accelerate positive changes in health. As a catalyst for change, the Foundation improves the health of Missourians through a combination of partnership, experience, knowledge, and funding.
Story Stitchers started an exploration of native Missouri prairie lands with photo shoots and overnight trips to the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Shaw Nature Reserve in 2016 and again in 2017.
When a person lives in an urban area where sirens, screeching tires, and gunshots can be heard nightly, how will their sense of self and world view change when that person experiences and explores native prairies? Peace in the Prairie supports the research, creation and public presentation of a completed conceptual work of art by artists exploring the juxtaposition of violence in St. Louis’s urban environment and the peacefulness of Missouri’s natural prairie landscapes. The grant supports artists’ stipends, travel expenses and expenses for a public presentation.
The project 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.
Leading artists in this project include Jamie KP Dennis, Reggie McNichols aka Ntegrity, Troy Anthony Swanson, Bobby Norfolk, Demil Johnson, and contributing artist Susan Colangelo.
The public performance followed by a Q&A will take place at the .ZACK Theater, 3224 Locust on Thursday, March 21st, 2019, sponsored in part by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation.
If you would like to contribute a story to this project’s archives, about violence or peace you have experienced in either the city or the prairie lands of Missouri, please contact Story Stitchers at storystitchers@gmail.com or call 314-899-9001.
Who’s Ready? was produced by Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective at the Stitchers Storefront Studio and onsite during the 2018 Pick the City UP Tour in St. Louis, Missouri.
Special thanks to March For Our Lives students from Parkland, Florida and visitors traveling with the bus tour for joining in the video while visiting St. Louis.
Music:
Reggie McNichols aka Ntegrity
Sakofa B. Soleil
Marcus Shumpert
Produced in association with Joel King, JPEK Creative Works Theatre.
The 2018 Pick the City UP Tour is presented with support from the Regional Arts Commission and with support from Missouri Foundation for Health.
The program is presented with additional program support from Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Steward Family Foundation, Yvette and John Dubinsky Family Foundation, Glore Fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation, Washington University in St. Louis, Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts, STL Youth Jobs, Rome West Realty, LLC, and in collaboration with the City of St. Louis Department of Health.
KP Dennis performs in Pick the City UP at Demetrious Johnson Foundation’s Community Day
Saint Louis Story Stitchers is working collaboratively to create an approach to health issues affecting Missouri’s urban youth. Story Stitchers bring the arts and humanities to the forefront through a unique form of “urban storytelling”.
Teen Rap Crisis II is a humanities-based program designed to give voice to concerns and triumphs, uncover facts, and build awareness of public health issues as seen through the eyes of contemporary African American teenage youth.
Story Stitchers artists Bobby Norfolk, KP Dennis and Reggie McNichols aka Ntegrity, and Stitchers Youth Council members Emeara, Tylea, Chris and Antonio will perform this unique work at the Pick the City UP Tour Finale!
Produced in association with Joel King, JPEK Creative Works Theatre.
The 2018 Pick the City UP Tour is presented with support from the Regional Arts Commission and with support from Missouri Foundation for Health.
The program is presented with additional program support from Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Steward Family Foundation, Yvette and John Dubinsky Family Foundation, Glore Fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation, Washington University in St. Louis, Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts, STL Youth Jobs, Rome West Realty, LLC, and in collaboration with the City of St. Louis Department of Health.
Media sponsorship provided by KDHX.
Teen Rap Crisus II was created in partnership with the Missouri Humanities Council and with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the St. Louis Storytelling Festival, Kranzberg Arts Foundation, and Missouri Foundation for Health and in collaboration with the City of St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center and the City of St. Louis Department of Health.
What happens when you spend an evening with the Saint Louis Story Stitchers?
You hear stories from brave African American youth about America.
What are the problems faced by the young and what are solutions?
Stitchers Youth Council, supported by their mentors Kp Dennis, Bobby Norfolk, Ntegrity, and guest artists Caph Guei and Bryce Green, will tell it like it is, without pause, and then give you the hope in their hearts.
Bryce has the vision to make a global impact with his music. He also wants to teach through his music by sending out positive messages and good energy! Bryce wrote a new song to show that he is one of those who cares about the youth and their future.
Doors open at 6:30! Come check out the friendly vendors including Stop the Bleed, Moms Demand Action, Mothers in Charge, Progressive Emporium and Education Center, and K.H.A.O.S.
Special Guest Artist Bryce Green.