I believe in creating collective community-based art making groups and workshops as a form of social activism. These groups foster participants’ discovery of community supports, development of strong social connections, and use of art to heal themselves and their communities. I have facilitated these groups at LGBTQ+ assisted living facilities, memory care units, queer youth camps, queer youth therapy groups, middle schools, high schools, and art centers.
Some groups I have developed included: Radical Quilters, Craftivism Workshops, Radical Crafters and Autobiographical Zine Workshops with high schoolers; Plushie Workshops with all ages and genders:, and Pride Quilts and Crafternoons with LGBTQ+ elders.
Fenton High school, Radical Quilters, Chicago, IL, 2018
Aurora Central Catholic High school, Craftivism workshop, Chicago, IL, 2018
Center on Addison, Pride Quilts with LGBTQ+ elders, Hilgos Award recipient, Chicago, IL, 2018
Sarah’s Circle, Craftivism Art Therapy Group, Chicago, IL, 2017
YOU Evanston, LGBTQ+ puppet workshop, Chicago, IL, 2018
Ombudsman South High school, Radical Sewers Art Therapy Group, Chicago, IL, 2018
Marwen, Felt Plushies class, Chicago, IL, 2019
Wheaton High school, Autobiographical zine workshop, Wheaton, IL, 2017
Marwen, Plushies Class Art Show, Chicago, IL, 2019
Camp Outright 7.0, Yarnie Workshop with LGBTQ+ youth, Starksboro, VT, 2017
Luries Gender Development Department, Rainbow Plushie Workshop, Chicago, IL, 2019
Center on Addison, Crafternoon’s , Awesome Foundation recipient, Chicago, IL, 2019
Illinois Art Therapy Association, Therapeutic Plushie Making Workshop, Chicago, IL, 2020
Lawndale Christian Health Senior Center, Story Quilts, Chicago, IL, 2019
Global Alliance for Africa, LGBTQIA Inclusion & Self Care Workshop, Kenya, Nairobi, 2020