Quilting has long been used as a tool of creative resistance. During the Civil War, abolitionists sold quilts to fundraise for their cause. Starting in 1965, the Alabama-based Freedom Quilting Bee Cooperative helped raise money for Black community members who lost income due to their involvement in the fight for civil rights. Today, artists like Chicago’s Dorothy Burge make quilts to memorialize “people who are being forgotten” and to preserve history.

The liberatory and healing powers of quilting are at the core of Stitch by Stitch, a three-day convening, organized by Rachel Wallis, Savneet Talwar, and Sharbreon Plummer, that takes place July 15-17.

“It’s a very, very important moment in which we’re having this conversation,” Talwar says. “It’s a really opportune moment to really speak about abolition and its intersection with art. What is the role of artists and how are we imagining new futures?”

Indeed abolition—the call for closing prisons and reimagining new structures of community support—has perhaps never been so popular. Following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, Google searches for “Defund the police” grew by more than 5000 percent. In recent years, publications as varied as Vogue, the Nation, GQ, and the New York Times have run articles explaining the idea of abolition to their readers.

Wallis, an activist, artist, and longtime quilter, originally conceived of hosting an informal community quilting event at her home in 2020. The pandemic dashed those plans, but Wallis and Talwar, a professor in the art therapy and counseling department at the School of the Art Institute (SAIC), stayed in conversation, and expanded the idea into a conference. Plummer, an artist, quilter, and independent consultant, is also an expert on craft-based practices and African American material and visual culture—bringing in a vast historical perspective. 

“Quilting has a really incredible radical history,” Wallis says. “They were always this tool. They’re about extending care, about expressing love. And I think both then and now they’ve been a tool that movements have been able to use to expand that circle of care to people who have been excluded or marginalized from it in many parts of society. I think to us now, the appeal of quilts as an abolitionist tool is not only reaching back into that history, but also talking about these questions of love, of forgiveness, of care, of family, to people who have been made separate, who have been disappeared in many ways from a lot of our communities.”

“When you make a quilt you’re making it for someone,” Talwar adds. “Whether they are about memorializing someone, about a birth, or about a death, they’re invested in memory. The material memory piece of that is really critical.” 

The quilts made by Dorothy Burge, a longtime community activist who also works with Chicago Torture Justice Memorials, are the perfect embodiment of that idea. In her series Won’t You Help to Sing These Songs of Freedom, she depicts people who were tortured by former Chicago police commander Jon Burge and who remain incarcerated.

For the conference organizers, Chicago was a perfect fit for such a conversation. “This conference couldn’t really have happened any place other than Chicago,” Wallis says. “Chicago has this rich—not only abolitionist tradition, but also arts tradition.”

Much of the three-day event will take place at SAIC (registration is required), with a keynote by Burge kicking things off on Friday. While the event features traditional conference elements, such as panel discussions and workshops—it is not solely rooted in academics. Presenters include scholars as well as early career artists and practitioners. And unlike many academic conferences, all presenters were paid, the fee to attend is sliding scale, and childcare is available for all participants, as is a self care room.

“We really wanted this to be a space where a lot of different people were in conversation with each other,” Wallis says. The organizers want there to be as few barriers to entry as possible. To that end, they are also offering off-site programming, open to anyone in the community. On Saturday night, an exhibition organized by Plummer will open at Weinberg/Newton Gallery. Building on the themes of the weekend convening, the show—which is up through August 11—will feature works by Burge, Lashawnda Crowe Storm, and students from Sally Hemings University Connecting Threads, among other artists. And on Sunday, Dorothy Burge will lead a collaborative, community quiltmaking session at the PO Box Collective in Rogers Park. All of these elements—holding off-site events, attending to the needs of participants, are meant to put into practice the sort of community care that’s fundamental to abolition.

“We’re not just talking about these concepts, we are really trying to live them as much as possible,” Wallis says.

Stitch By StitchFri 7/15-Sun 7/17, School of the Art Insitute of Chicago’s Neiman Center, 37 S. Wabash, conference is free but registration required at stitchingabolition.com.

The Fri 7/15 opening keynote address by Dorothy Burge will be followed by a panel discussion with members of the Prison and Neighborhood Arts/Education Project. This starts at 6 PM at the Neiman Center and is open to the public.

“Stitch By Stitch” exhibition Opening reception Sat 7/16, 6 PM, Weinberg/Newton Gallery, 688 N. Milwaukee. Exhibition is on view through Thu 8/11: Thu-Fri 1-5 PM, Sat noon-4 PM, and by appointment; weinbergnewtongallery.com

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Quilting has long been used as a tool of creative resistance. During the Civil War, abolitionists sold quilts to fundraise for their cause. Starting in 1965, the Alabama-based Freedom Quilting Bee Cooperative helped raise money for Black community members who lost income due to their involvement in the fight for civil rights. Today, artists like Chicago’s Dorothy Burge make quilts to memorialize “people who are being forgotten” and to preserve history.

The liberatory and healing powers of quilting are at the core of Stitch by Stitch, a three-day convening, organized by Rachel Wallis, Savneet Talwar, and Sharbreon Plummer, that takes place July 15-17.

“It’s a very, very important moment in which we’re having this conversation,” Talwar says. “It’s a really opportune moment to really speak about abolition and its intersection with art. What is the role of artists and how are we imagining new futures?”

Indeed abolition—the call for closing prisons and reimagining new structures of community support—has perhaps never been so popular. Following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, Google searches for “Defund the police” grew by more than 5000 percent. In recent years, publications as varied as Vogue, the Nation, GQ, and the New York Times have run articles explaining the idea of abolition to their readers.

Wallis, an activist, artist, and longtime quilter, originally conceived of hosting an informal community quilting event at her home in 2020. The pandemic dashed those plans, but Wallis and Talwar, a professor in the art therapy and counseling department at the School of the Art Institute (SAIC), stayed in conversation, and expanded the idea into a conference. Plummer, an artist, quilter, and independent consultant, is also an expert on craft-based practices and African American material and visual culture—bringing in a vast historical perspective. 

“Quilting has a really incredible radical history,” Wallis says. “They were always this tool. They’re about extending care, about expressing love. And I think both then and now they’ve been a tool that movements have been able to use to expand that circle of care to people who have been excluded or marginalized from it in many parts of society. I think to us now, the appeal of quilts as an abolitionist tool is not only reaching back into that history, but also talking about these questions of love, of forgiveness, of care, of family, to people who have been made separate, who have been disappeared in many ways from a lot of our communities.”

“When you make a quilt you’re making it for someone,” Talwar adds. “Whether they are about memorializing someone, about a birth, or about a death, they’re invested in memory. The material memory piece of that is really critical.” 

The quilts made by Dorothy Burge, a longtime community activist who also works with Chicago Torture Justice Memorials, are the perfect embodiment of that idea. In her series Won’t You Help to Sing These Songs of Freedom, she depicts people who were tortured by former Chicago police commander Jon Burge and who remain incarcerated.

For the conference organizers, Chicago was a perfect fit for such a conversation. “This conference couldn’t really have happened any place other than Chicago,” Wallis says. “Chicago has this rich—not only abolitionist tradition, but also arts tradition.”

Much of the three-day event will take place at SAIC (registration is required), with a keynote by Burge kicking things off on Friday. While the event features traditional conference elements, such as panel discussions and workshops—it is not solely rooted in academics. Presenters include scholars as well as early career artists and practitioners. And unlike many academic conferences, all presenters were paid, the fee to attend is sliding scale, and childcare is available for all participants, as is a self care room.

“We really wanted this to be a space where a lot of different people were in conversation with each other,” Wallis says. The organizers want there to be as few barriers to entry as possible. To that end, they are also offering off-site programming, open to anyone in the community. On Saturday night, an exhibition organized by Plummer will open at Weinberg/Newton Gallery. Building on the themes of the weekend convening, the show—which is up through August 11—will feature works by Burge, Lashawnda Crowe Storm, and students from Sally Hemings University Connecting Threads, among other artists. And on Sunday, Dorothy Burge will lead a collaborative, community quiltmaking session at the PO Box Collective in Rogers Park. All of these elements—holding off-site events, attending to the needs of participants, are meant to put into practice the sort of community care that’s fundamental to abolition.

“We’re not just talking about these concepts, we are really trying to live them as much as possible,” Wallis says.

Stitch By StitchFri 7/15-Sun 7/17, School of the Art Insitute of Chicago’s Neiman Center, 37 S. Wabash, conference is free but registration required at stitchingabolition.com.

The Fri 7/15 opening keynote address by Dorothy Burge will be followed by a panel discussion with members of the Prison and Neighborhood Arts/Education Project. This starts at 6 PM at the Neiman Center and is open to the public.

“Stitch By Stitch” exhibition Opening reception Sat 7/16, 6 PM, Weinberg/Newton Gallery, 688 N. Milwaukee. Exhibition is on view through Thu 8/11: Thu-Fri 1-5 PM, Sat noon-4 PM, and by appointment; weinbergnewtongallery.com

Read More

SAT 7/16

Every third Saturday of the month the South Shore Nature Sanctuary (7059 S. South Shore) welcomes volunteers to help preserve the area’s ecosystems. Past volunteer days have included everything from collecting and planting native seeds to performing nest checks on baby purple martins, a species in decline because the birds have learned to nest in manmade bird structures that aren’t being maintained by younger generations. See what weird things you can learn there about the land we live on? Volunteering runs from 10 AM-noon, and you should bring water and weather-appropriate clothing. Gloves and tools will be provided. Meet at the entrance of the sanctuary, which is located behind the South Shore Cultural Center (follow signage). (MC)

The Silver Room Sound System Block Party comes back in person this year with a new location and two full days of programming. Today and tomorrow, you can find music, family activities, wellness classes, and more from noon-10 PM at six stages set up on Oakwood Beach (specifically between E. Oakwood and 41st St. at the lakefront). Tickets (children 13 and under are free when attending with a parent or guardian) are available here, and you can read an oral history of how this uniquely Chicago event came into being here. (SCJ)

Today is also the 20th anniversary of the South Shore Nature Sanctuary’s formation, so whether you can make the volunteer hours or not, consider showing up between 1-4 PM for a site-specific performance by musician Lia Kohl, arts and crafts activities, a scavenger hunt, tours of the sanctuary, and vegan treats from sanctuary neighbor BettyBOT Bakery. All ages and abilities are welcome; go here for more information and to register. (SCJ)

The Physical Theater Festival Chicago kicks off today at Nichols Park (1355 E. 53rd) with six hours of free performances (2-8 PM), presented in conjunction with Night Out in the Parks. Today’s lineup includes three sets from Chicago magician Alexander the Amazing at 1:30, 3, and 5:30 PM; Curiosity Caught the Clown by Sharaina Latrice (aka Sheila Da Clown) at 2 and 4:30; a pop-up performance by Eric Robins at 2:30 and 5 PM; Drumtastically Yours, an exploration of the roots of African drumming by Oxford, UK-based Kuumba Nia Arts at 3:30 PM; and Free Your Style with Chicago’s BraveSoul Movement at 6. The festival then offers ticketed performances and other events at the Den Theatre (1331 N. Milwaukee), 7/18-/724. Cofounders Marc Frost and Alice da Cunha talked to Reader contributor Nora Paul last week about coming back for the ninth edition of this festival after the pandemic shutdown; da Cunha noted, “The artists and the shows make us connect to different communities every year depending on the country where they come from or the subject of the show and that’s awesome.” Kuumba Nia Arts and fellow UK troupe Unlock the Chains Collective present their collaboration, Sold, based on the story of Mary Prince, a formerly enslaved woman from Barbados who became an abolitionist and author, 7/21-7/23. For complete schedule and ticketing information, visit physicalfestival.com. (KR)

Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre presents its Summer Dance Intensive tonight at 7 PM and tomorrow at 3 PM at the Logan Center for the Arts (915 E. 60th). The program features performances created during the past four weeks of classes for youth and pre-professional students, as well as members of Deeply Rooted’s “Mature H.O.T. Women” division, with an emphasis on various movement techniques as well as the company’s The Continuum, “a series of guided conversations on self-awareness and personal growth informed by each participant’s creativity and artistic process.” Tickets for this weekend’s shows at the Logan are $25 ($20 groups of ten or more, $15 for those 12 and under). Additionally, the company’s free outdoor performances of Q After Dark, celebrating the music of Chicago’s own Quincy Jones with an ensemble of musicians led by Sam Thousand, continues. On Thu 7/21, Q After Dark is at Palmer Park (201 E. 111th), and on Thu 7/28, they’re at South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. South Shore). Both shows are at 6:30 PM. For more information and reservations, visit deeplyrooteddancetheater.org. (KR)

SUN 7/17

If the weather holds, it’ll be an afternoon of acid house in Humboldt Park (1440 N. Humboldt) as the Humboldt Arboreal Society takes over airwaves just north of the waterfall. From noon-8 PM, you can catch Acid Daddy, Dana, Pat Bosman, Sassmouth, Tamahori, and Taylor for a free music experience that promises to be the antithesis of Pitchfork. (MC)

For over ten years, Project Logan has been organizing a permission wall for artists who work primarily in public, including those working with aerosol-based paint (sometimes known as graffiti artists, sometimes not). Today the work continues with the annual Against Da Fence “mini art fest” (as the organizers describe it), featuring over 75 artists and vendors, a sticker-making station, and live painting. It all happens from 1-6 PM in the alley behind Liberty Bank’s Logan Square parking lot (2929 W. Fullerton, near Milwaukee). Go to the organizers’ Facebook event to discover more information. (SCJ)

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SAT 7/16

Every third Saturday of the month the South Shore Nature Sanctuary (7059 S. South Shore) welcomes volunteers to help preserve the area’s ecosystems. Past volunteer days have included everything from collecting and planting native seeds to performing nest checks on baby purple martins, a species in decline because the birds have learned to nest in manmade bird structures that aren’t being maintained by younger generations. See what weird things you can learn there about the land we live on? Volunteering runs from 10 AM-noon, and you should bring water and weather-appropriate clothing. Gloves and tools will be provided. Meet at the entrance of the sanctuary, which is located behind the South Shore Cultural Center (follow signage). (MC)

The Silver Room Sound System Block Party comes back in person this year with a new location and two full days of programming. Today and tomorrow, you can find music, family activities, wellness classes, and more from noon-10 PM at six stages set up on Oakwood Beach (specifically between E. Oakwood and 41st St. at the lakefront). Tickets (children 13 and under are free when attending with a parent or guardian) are available here, and you can read an oral history of how this uniquely Chicago event came into being here. (SCJ)

Today is also the 20th anniversary of the South Shore Nature Sanctuary’s formation, so whether you can make the volunteer hours or not, consider showing up between 1-4 PM for a site-specific performance by musician Lia Kohl, arts and crafts activities, a scavenger hunt, tours of the sanctuary, and vegan treats from sanctuary neighbor BettyBOT Bakery. All ages and abilities are welcome; go here for more information and to register. (SCJ)

The Physical Theater Festival Chicago kicks off today at Nichols Park (1355 E. 53rd) with six hours of free performances (2-8 PM), presented in conjunction with Night Out in the Parks. Today’s lineup includes three sets from Chicago magician Alexander the Amazing at 1:30, 3, and 5:30 PM; Curiosity Caught the Clown by Sharaina Latrice (aka Sheila Da Clown) at 2 and 4:30; a pop-up performance by Eric Robins at 2:30 and 5 PM; Drumtastically Yours, an exploration of the roots of African drumming by Oxford, UK-based Kuumba Nia Arts at 3:30 PM; and Free Your Style with Chicago’s BraveSoul Movement at 6. The festival then offers ticketed performances and other events at the Den Theatre (1331 N. Milwaukee), 7/18-/724. Cofounders Marc Frost and Alice da Cunha talked to Reader contributor Nora Paul last week about coming back for the ninth edition of this festival after the pandemic shutdown; da Cunha noted, “The artists and the shows make us connect to different communities every year depending on the country where they come from or the subject of the show and that’s awesome.” Kuumba Nia Arts and fellow UK troupe Unlock the Chains Collective present their collaboration, Sold, based on the story of Mary Prince, a formerly enslaved woman from Barbados who became an abolitionist and author, 7/21-7/23. For complete schedule and ticketing information, visit physicalfestival.com. (KR)

Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre presents its Summer Dance Intensive tonight at 7 PM and tomorrow at 3 PM at the Logan Center for the Arts (915 E. 60th). The program features performances created during the past four weeks of classes for youth and pre-professional students, as well as members of Deeply Rooted’s “Mature H.O.T. Women” division, with an emphasis on various movement techniques as well as the company’s The Continuum, “a series of guided conversations on self-awareness and personal growth informed by each participant’s creativity and artistic process.” Tickets for this weekend’s shows at the Logan are $25 ($20 groups of ten or more, $15 for those 12 and under). Additionally, the company’s free outdoor performances of Q After Dark, celebrating the music of Chicago’s own Quincy Jones with an ensemble of musicians led by Sam Thousand, continues. On Thu 7/21, Q After Dark is at Palmer Park (201 E. 111th), and on Thu 7/28, they’re at South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. South Shore). Both shows are at 6:30 PM. For more information and reservations, visit deeplyrooteddancetheater.org. (KR)

SUN 7/17

If the weather holds, it’ll be an afternoon of acid house in Humboldt Park (1440 N. Humboldt) as the Humboldt Arboreal Society takes over airwaves just north of the waterfall. From noon-8 PM, you can catch Acid Daddy, Dana, Pat Bosman, Sassmouth, Tamahori, and Taylor for a free music experience that promises to be the antithesis of Pitchfork. (MC)

For over ten years, Project Logan has been organizing a permission wall for artists who work primarily in public, including those working with aerosol-based paint (sometimes known as graffiti artists, sometimes not). Today the work continues with the annual Against Da Fence “mini art fest” (as the organizers describe it), featuring over 75 artists and vendors, a sticker-making station, and live painting. It all happens from 1-6 PM in the alley behind Liberty Bank’s Logan Square parking lot (2929 W. Fullerton, near Milwaukee). Go to the organizers’ Facebook event to discover more information. (SCJ)

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The Chicago Blackhawks have a weird goaltending situation going on right now. For a long time, it was Corey Crawford who was amazing. After that, outside of a short stint with Marc-Andre Fleury, it has been mostly young kids trying to earn a full-time spot in the National Hockey League.

One of the goalies that have been a part of that for a few years now has been Kevin Lankinen. The Finnish goalie has had some ups and downs with the Hawks over his time. He is certainly, at minimum, a decent backup in the NHL. Now, he will get that chance somewhere else.

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