Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – On Wednesday, January 7, Sierra Club West Virginia, alongside local quilter CJ Sews, launched the “Quilting for Community” project at Morgantown art gallery The Co-Op. Over 55 people attended the Kick-Off, the first of many scheduled bi-weekly communal quilting events throughout January and February. Sierra Club Beyond Coal Organizer Lisa Di Bartolomeo presented on finding joy in fighting climate change and attendees voted on the communal quilt’s design.
The “Quilting for Community” project aims to build a joyful community grounded in shared concern for the climate and interest in quilting, a storied, Appalachian folk craft. Community members are encouraged to attend and sew alongside others biweekly at The Retail Lab on Wednesdays this winter.
Together, over the course of some weeks, the team will assemble a quilt to be partially displayed at the Appalachian Studies Association conference in March.
“Traditional Appalachian quilting circles involve friends and neighbors coming together in the dead of winter to not only sew, but to talk, share stories, ambitions, and dreams,” said Sierra Club Beyond Coal Organizer Lisa Di Bartolomeo. “Through the Quilting for Community Project, it is our hope that West Virginians form new friendships and find joy in fighting climate change together. Whatever your skill, hobby, or interest – be it sewing, sculpting, making music, writing, or painting – there is a place for you in our quilting circle. Everyone has something to bring to our communal fight to protect our treasured landscapes, public health, and energy affordability here in West Virginia.”
“My special interests are sustainability, upcycling and reusing materials, so this effort is a great way for lots of interests to come together,” said artist CJ Helenski. “There’s something that we all can do to become more involved in our community and more environmentally conscious.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.