9/11 Stories through Quilting with New York Kids
The 9/11 Peace Story Quilt is about remembering and the values we need to wrap ourselves in – understanding and empathy and reaching out across cultures and religions. This Sunday is 9/11, a decade later, and it might be the perfect thing to do with one’s family – viewing this poignant tale told by artist Faith Ringgold and New York school children on a quilt which is composed of three 72 x by 50 inch panels, each with 12 squares. Each square shows a child’s perception of peace and commemorates the tenth anniversary of 9/11.
These were selected from the work of New York school students which was collected in the book ‘What will you do for Peace?’ by the non-profit organization InterRelations Collaborative, right after 9/11 in 2001. Now the organization commissioned the noted artist Faith Ringgold to create the 9/11 Peace Story Quilt based on the artwork in the book.
9/11 Tales
Quilt making has always been a community effort and so it seems particularly appropriate in a commemoration of a horrific day when in spite of destruction and death all around, the community came together; strangers clasped hands and lit candles on the sad streets.
The age-old craft of quilting has seen generations of women through rough and tough times. Ringgold herself learned quilting from her grandmother who learned it from her mother who was a slave. Story quilts use painting, quilted fabric and storytelling to create powerful narratives about issues which effect humanity.
On September 11, special programming will be offered at the Museum, including a talk by Faith Ringgold, readings by New York University students related to The 9/11 Peace Story Quilt, and an afternoon concert at The Temple of Dendur in The Sackler Wing.
For information on all the special activities to commemorate 9/11 check out
the website of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Faith Ringgold and young New Yorkers (ages 8-19)
The 9/11 Peace Story Quilt, 2006
Fabric and acrylic
Three panels, 72 x 50 in. each (approx.)
Commissioned by the InterRelations Collaborative, Inc.
