PAST EVENTS
Saturday, May 6th at Old Courthouse Gallery
As part of the NEA-funded “Parks Come Alive” project, a collaboration between Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and St. Louis Storytelling Festival, a variety of storytellers showcased community reflections of what this iconic national park in the heart of St. Louis means to them. Featured were the Arch Builders, Bobby Norfolk and other park rangers, Story Stitchers (an urban storytelling troupe), and school and community groups presenting community art projects. This project was supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Story Stitchers program was also supported by Kranzberg Arts Foundation.
SAT October 29, 12:00 -12:45 pm
LIVE SPOKEN WORD & HIP HOP AT THE MILDRED LANE KEMPER ART MUSEUM
Family Fun Day at Washington University in St. Louis
Thanks for hosting us! We had a great time!
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Contemporary Art Museum OPEN STUDIO
Sunday, October 9, 10:00-1:30
Stitchers Storefront Studio
Family Appreciation Day
Family Photo Scanning Session – Share 10 of your historic family photos with the Collective and help us document St. Louis! We will email you the digital scan files in return. Free scanning is limited to the Open Studio session. Audio Recording Booth Open! Share a family story with the Collective. Add your voice!
http://openstudios-stl.org/Artists/saint-louis-story-stitchers-artists-collective-studio/
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Creative Connection Open MIC / Poetry SLAM Saint Louis Story Stitchers will host a 2nd Creative Connection Open MIC / Poetry SLAM sessions with MC Britt Baker. Friday, September 2 and Friday, October 7th, 2016 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Studio Theater in Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N Grand Blvd. Interview with Lisa Overholser, director of the St. Louis Storytelling Festival, University of Missouri Extension’s Community Arts Program, 9/2/16 at the Open MIC / Poetry SLAM with Susan ColangeloSusan: You’re here at the Open MIC / Poetry SLAM. What made you come today? Lisa: I know the Saint Louis Story Stitchers. They do great work. I think they do a lot of really important work, too, that needs to be recognized and I know this event was happening tonight and I wanted to come out and support them. Susan: Was there anything that really impressed you as far as content? Lisa: No, it’s just very authentic, personal expressive stories told in their own ways and I think that’s the beauty of the Story Stitchers, I really do. Susan: Thanks for coming out tonight. Lisa: Thank you. Thanks for hosting it. And I’m going to come next time, too! Details and tickets are available HERE. Sponsored by the Regional Arts Commission, Kranzberg Arts Foundation and Kranzberg Arts Center. Special thanks to Susan Sanders Block and The Designing Block for the T-Shirts! |
PEACE IN THE PRAIRIE
Story Stitchers have started an exploration of native Missouri prairie lands.
When a young 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?
We are finding out…
Kelsey, age 18 wrote, “Being able to experience an environment of peace is different than what I am used. I live in the city of Saint Louis, Missouri where I hear ambulances along with gunshots near my home every night. The trip allowed me to know that there is more to life then what I’ve been used to. I would like to change my mindset by being more adventurous and trying new things to expand my horizon.”
The first excursion was an overnight trip to the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Shaw Nature Reserve and the Dana Brown Education Center August 6th and 7th, 2016. Stitchers Teen Council members were excited to spend some time chillin’ in a new environment, exploring prairie lands and other natural eco-systems, creating art and music, and trying some delicious farm fresh foods courtesy of our very wonderful friends at Winslow’s Home & Farm and HOSCO Foods.
Special thanks to our sponsors! Missouri Botanical Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve’s Dana Brown Education Center, HOSCO Foods – Holistic Sustainable Organic Cooperative, Winslow’s Home & Farm in University City and Regional Arts Commission, Susan Block and The Designing Block, Panera Cares in Clayton, Lowes in Maplewood, Sam’s Club in Maplewood, Jane Schaefer, Georgia Binnington, Washington University North Campus
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St. Louis Storytelling Festival
NOT ANOTHER ONE!
Urban Storytelling on Gun Violence
May 7, 2016
Kranzberg Arts Center
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March 19, 2016 at Kranzberg Arts Center
Testimonial
Congratulations on a great event last Saturday! We all really enjoyed it. What an incredibly talented group!
Hazel was very inspired to play music when we got home, so we are looking forward to the next one.
All my best,
Leslie Markle
GUNS IN THE HANDS OF ARTISTS
September 16-November 21, 2015
Des Lee Gallery, 1627 Washington Avenue
In collaboration with Washington University’s Office of the Provost, and part of the year-long initiative Gun Violence: A Public Health Crisis.
Originally mounted in 1996 by gallery owner Jonathan Ferrara and artist Brian Borrello, Guns In The Hands of Artists started a national dialogue within the arts. The exhibition grew out of Borrello’s response to the growing gun violence crisis in New Orleans.
In 2014, Ferrara reorganized the exhibition to feature work by internationally recognized artists. Through their own medium, each artist has used the decommissioned firearms to create works that express a thought, make a statement, open a discussion, and stimulate thinking about guns in our culture.
Panel Discussion and Performance: Thursday, September 17th, 6:00-8:00p
Steinberg Auditorium (off Forsyth Blvd.)
Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, Washington University
This panel discussion will feature gallery owner Jonathan Ferrara and artists Brian Borrello, Ron Bechet, and Margaret Evangeline, whose work is featured in the exhibition, and Bob Hansman, associate professor in the Sam Fox School, Gephardt Community Engagement Fellow, and prominent community activist.
Moderator Terrell Carter, an artist, community developer, and former St. Louis City police officer, will lead a conversation focused on how the transformation of these once deadly weapons can create a space for poignant commentary, challenging viewers to think in a totally new way.
As part of the event, Saint Louis Story Stitchers artists and teens will present two new songs in a live premiere performance. The songs, entitled Not Another 1 and Gun Shots!!, were written and produced at the Stitchers Storefront Studio in the Loop District under the direction of Story Stitchers music director K.P. Dennis. In addition, as a tribute to the people lost to gun violence in the St. Louis community, Story Stitchers Collective member Mario Miles-Turnage, a violinist and music education major at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, will perform His Eye Is on the Sparrow, written in 1905 by Civilla D. Martin and Charles H. Gabriel.
http://publichealth.wustl.edu/events/guns-in-the-hands-of-artists-panel-discussion/
Live Stream starting 5:45 pm: http://livestream.com/tsvstl/githoa
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INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ARTIST BUZZ SPECTOR TO AID SAINT LOUIS STORY STITCHERS IN GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS THE WEIGHT OF WORDS CAUSE AT THE NEW STITCHERS STOREFRONT STUDIO IN THE LOOP DISTRICT
Stitchers Storefront Studio at 616 N Delmar
The Story Stitchers closed the exhibition on June 2nd, 2015 National Gun Violence Awareness Day, as we asked visitors to be photographed wearing an orange T-shirt to participate in #WearOrange in collaboration with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. See Teen Council tweets at STL Story Stitchers. They really got great at tweeting in one day!
Buzz Spector joined forces in promoting gun violence awareness by creating an onsite book installation in the new Story Stitchers Storefront Studio. The construction helped to generate votes for the Story Stitchers’ The Weight of Words Cause, one of the Top 200 causes in the national State Farm Neighborhood Assist® grant competition. The Stitchers Storefront Studio opened Monday, May 25th with a beautiful installation created by artist Buzz Spector. The piece was built on Sunday with the aid of Story Stitchers teens and artists. Many of the books used were donated to Story Stitchers by the West County Book Fair and will form the foundation of the reference library and a book sharing shelf in the new space..
Buzz discussed the form the group would create with members present that morning. The shape of an “O” was chosen, as it relates to The Weight of Words Cause, promoting education and literacy over guns and violence in two ways: Not ONE More of our citizens lost to gun violence and to the #WearOrange campaign.
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Saint Louis Story Stitchers partnered with the St. Louis Chapter of Moms Demand ACTION for Gun Sense in America to help promote National Gun Violence Awareness Day, June 2nd. The public was asked to wear orange to help generate awareness of our humanity and the need for greater awareness of gun violence in America today. Stitchers Teen Council members visited a meeting of the St. Louis Chapter to express how gun violence alters their own lives.
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Thursday, April 30, 7:30-9:30 p
UMSL at Grand Center, 3651 Olive St.
Register: 314-516-5968
Storytelling Stitchers-Style!
Join us as we participate in the University of Missouri Extension Office Saint Louis Storytelling Festival’s “Storytelling Lives Here” event. KWMU Public Radio is the host for the evening as we tape a segment of their post-Ferguson series “We Live Here” which explores the issues of race, class, and history that led to the emotional eruption in the wake of Michael Brown’s death. We will participate along with storytellers Gladys Coggswell, Bobby Norfolk, Beverly Brennan, and Loretta Washington. The show was taped and portions of the show will be aired in the future.
Black History Month 2015
Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective Presents Perception Isn’t Always Reality
Public Presentations Feb 6-28
Celebrate Black History Month this year at the Kranzberg Arts Center with the premier of Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective’s Perception Isn’t Always Reality. The Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective is a 501c3 charity organization that brings teens and artists together in documenting our community through art, word, video, and music. Perception Isn’t Always Reality is a cultural exchange that explores the dynamics of community in St. Louis through issues of identity, bias, and public perception as related to individual lives.
All through February, the Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective will hold a series of public events including a discussion and book signing with Kim Norwood, author of Color Matters, participatory activities for teens such as the Teen Stitch Squad Sessions led by the Stitchers Teen Council, and a final performance by St. Louis RAP legends KP Dennis and Jarmel Reece.
The project also features an interactive Gallery/Incubator installation with a video sketchbook. Stitchers Teen Council work is created in collaboration with Mike Pagano at the Nine Network’s NineLAB and United Story. The Saint Louis Storybook Photo Booth invites guests to document their own stories related to perception and reality, and to reflect on the question “What does Black History Month mean to me?” Participants will receive a Polaroid portrait and be invited to become part of the exhibition through a drawing maker space.
In March the Saint Louis Story Stitchers continue Perception Isn’t Always Reality, with a shift in focus to discussions of gender bias and identity, and the roles of women in family life as we salute Women’s History Month and the women of Tillie’s Corner Historical Project. Join us March 14th at 11:00 for a storytelling exploration of two special women and their roles in business, family and community. Teen Council will give a salute. KP Dennis will perform his song Tillie’s Corner RAP! Family-friendly.
Perception Isn’t Always Reality is a platform for community engagement through an artistic lens, with it the Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective works to shift perceptions and realities and bring hope to our community. Join us this February at the Kranzberg Arts Center and become part of this vital project.
Partners:
Kranzberg Arts Center
Craft Alliance Center of Art and Design
Nine Network’s NineLAB
United Story
Artists Leading the Project:
Artists leading the project are Susan Colangelo, Jamie Mr. KP Dennis, Jarmel Reece, Waheed Abdul Muhaimin and members of the Stitchers Teen Council.
Artists Participating in the Project:
Norleen Nosri, Chris Hansen, Buzz Spector, Carmon Colangelo, Kait Mauro, Katherine Story,
Denise Ward Brown, Monika Weiss, Kimberly Norwood, De Andrea Nichols, Mike Pagano, and more.
Schedule of Events
Friday, February 6 (First Friday)
6:00-9:00
GALLERY / INCUBATOR
OPENING: PERCEPTION ISN’T ALWAYS REALITY
Photo Booth Polaroid photographs & Video Documentation:“What does Black History Month mean to me?” Collective Video Sketchbook playing with sound, Norleen Nosri’s Tea Set on display, Maker Space, Messages of Hope & Healing Wall for St. Louis, Refreshments
Saturday, Feb 7
10:00-11:00
STUDIO THEATER
DISCUSSION WITH KIMBERLY JADE NORWOOD, author of Color Matters.
What Does It Mean To Be Black in the 21st Century?
11:00-12:00
GALLERY / INCUBATOR
Kim Norwood, books for sale, book signing,
11:00-12:00
GALLERY / INCUBATOR
Photo Booth OPEN
Opportunity to document your story in the Saint Louis Storybook Photo Booth with Susan Colangelo.
11:00-12:00
STUDIO THEATER: TEEN STITCH SQUAD SESSION: Perception Isn’t Always Reality Game Day
Teen Stitch Squad Sessions led by the Teen Council will explore themes through games and discussion. Fun, friends, snacks and games!
Tuesdays, February 17 & 24: 10:00-12:00
GALLERY / INCUBATOR
Breaking the Ice
Hot Tea and Conversation with Susan Colangelo and Norleen Nosri, Visiting Artist at Craft Alliance
Document your story in the Saint Louis Storybook Photo Booth.
Photo by Story Stitcher
Friday, February 20
6:00-8:00
GALLERY / INCUBATOR
Photo Booth OPEN
Opportunity to document your story in the Saint Louis Storybook Photo Booth with Susan Colangelo.
Saturday, Feb 21
10:00-12:00
STUDIO THEATER
TEEN STITCH SQUAD SESSION: PERCEPTION ISN’T ALWAYS REALITY
WRITE-RAP-DRAW-PHOTOGRAPH
Stitchers Squad Sessions led by our Teen Council will explore themes through a creative WRITE-RAP-DRAW-PHOTOGRAPH Session. Work can be entered into the Story Stitchers Contest!
Fun, friends, art, pizza and open mic for youth, Gr.5-12!
Saturday, February 28
12:00-2:00
GALLERY / INCUBATOR
Photo Booth OPEN
Opportunity to document your story in the Saint Louis Storybook Photo Booth with Susan Colangelo.
2:00-4:00
STUDIO THEATER
THE WEIGHT OF WORDS
FINAL PERFORMANCE & FUNDRAISER!
Featuring St. Louis RAP Legends KP DENNIS & JARMEL REECE plus special guests!!!
Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective created a six-week series of public art projects entitled Perception Isn’t Always Reality. The Weight of Words Benefit Concert was a part of this project and explored inner-city life as experienced by teens and artists living in St. Louis, MO.
This is a concert teaser of the live concert directed by K.P. Dennis that featured K.P. plus Jarmel Reece and nine additional artists.
Kranzberg Arts Center, 2/28/2015 c Saint Louis Story Stitchers 2015
For bookings please contact us at storystitchers.org
2:00 Doors Open, 2:30 SHOW TIME!
12 & under FREE, Students $5, General Admission $10
Tickets are available at the Gallery Desk, cash, check or credit card.
Four ticket maximum per person.
All proceeds benefit the Saint Louis Story Stitchers.
4:00-5:00
GALLERY / INCUBATOR
Photo Booth OPEN
Opportunity to document your story in the Saint Louis Storybook Photo Booth with Susan Colangelo.
Latest release from KP Dennis
Stitchers Artistic Director, Music
Latest release from Jarmel Reece
Stitchers Artistic Director, Videography
TH, March 5
GALLERY / INCUBATOR
Photo Booth OPEN
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
SA, March 14
Photo Booth OPEN
10:00 -11:00 am and 12:00-1:00 pm
STUDIO THEATER
HONORING THE WOMEN OF TILLIE’S CORNER HISTORICAL PROJECT
11:00am-12:00pm
Saturday March 14th The Studio Theater at the Kranzberg Arts Center will host Honoring the Women of Tillie’s Corner Historical Project. Mrs. Lillie Velma Pearson, 1915-2006, also known as “Miss Tillie” was a legendary figure in JeffVanderLou whose inspirational story speaks of determination and leadership in family life, community and small business. Her granddaughter Mrs. Carla Alexander and Carla’s husband Miguel, work today to strengthen the neighborhood and keep Miss Tillie’s memory alive. This powerful story will feature a live performance of Tillie’s Corner RAP by musician and composer K.P. Dennis, Artistic Director of Music for the Story Stitchers.
Gallery Hours:
(Tuesdays 11:00-4:00 by appointment)
Wednesday 11:00-6:00
Thursday 11:00-6:00
Friday 11:00-9:00
Saturday 10:00-5:00
Sunday 12:00-5:00
Tillie’s Corner Historical Project Butterfly Home Grand Opening, 2014
