Dept. of Art & Design Exhibits: Craftivism: Needles for Change
The Department of Art + Design is exhibiting Craftivism: Needles for Change in the Knauer Gallery, Swope Music Building & Performing Arts Center, 817 S. High Street, West Chester. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. through April 10th. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, March 23rd from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Craftivism is the combination of crafting and activism. Craftivists use mediums that are traditionally seen as women’s work to instigate social change. Sewing, embroidery, crochet and knitting are just some of the materials used to create the powerful work in this exhibit.
“One of the goals of these artists is to activate social engagement and create conversations around this work”, says Constance Case, the organizer of the exhibit.
Artists have submitted work from Australia, Philadelphia, Mansfield, and West Chester,
PA.
There will be a Craftivism workshop on Monday, April 3rd at 3 p.m. in Knauer Gallery. The workshop will be led by Professor Deborah Rotella from Mansfield University. The workshop will be on needle punching and how to become socially active using crafting as a subtle form of protest. The workshop is free and open to the public.