STORY STITCHERS erase real and perceived divisions through cultural exploration and arts practice — by stitching together our city.
I have been posting several events regarding Story Stitchers, a non-profit agency in St. Louis, and our focused organization for July. Therefore, for their 10th anniversary, I wanted to take a deep dive into the story behind ‘The Story’.
ABOUT SAINT LOUIS STORY STITCHERS ARTISTS COLLECTIVE
Saint Louis Story Stitchers is a nationally recognized Artists Collective known for high quality art and innovative youth violence prevention programs.
STORY STITCHERS is committed to placing youth at the center of the work both in identifying topics for exploration as well as the methods for engagement. This approach builds a community of youth and professional artists who respect one another. Gun violence continues to be a pressing public health crisis that consumes the attention of the engaged youth, and artistic expression helps youth work through the pain and loss they have experienced.
STORY STITCHERS collect stories, reframe and retell them through art, writing and performance to promote understanding, civic pride, intergenerational relationships and literacy. Projects create a platform for community engagement through an artistic lens and with it the Saint Louis Story Stitchers work to shift perceptions and realities and bring hope to the Saint Louis community. Our goal is to promote a better educated, more peaceful and caring region through storytelling.
St. Louis Story Stitchers Website
History
Once upon a time there was a stitcher who liked to embroider stories from the newspaper. One day she was stitching about two sisters who were shot on their porch in University City. One sister died. Two brothers were arrested for the crime. The stitcher reflected on the power of stitching throughout history; of the Aids quilt and quilts on the Underground Railroad. She determined to join with others to create change. In August 2013 eight artists gathered in Old North St. Louis and founded the Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective — to make change.
Board of Directors
Susan Colangelo, President and CEO susanc@storystitchers.org
Breona Butler, Vice President breona@storystitchers.org
Tausha Dirks, Secretary
Phil Eager, Treasurer Phil@storystitchers.org
Members At Large: George Bryan – Renita Clayton – Oluwagbemiga Dasylva – JoAnn Sanditz – Hassan Shariff Cassandria White – John A Wright, Jr.
Upcoming Events
UPCOMING
August 9 – Youth Empowerment Summit
August 10 – Awards and 10 Year Anniversary Album Release Party!
Signature Programs
The Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective is artists and urban youth ages 16-25, working together to create positive social change. Stitchers collect local stories and reframe and retell them through art, writing and performance to promote understanding, civic pride, intergenerational relationships and literacy. Story Stitchers are honored to be a Resident Organization at Kranzberg Arts Foundation in the vibrant Grand Center Arts District.
Multi-year signature programs align with the pillars of the national creative youth development movement, being explored and supported, in part, by The Lewis Prize for Music and through the Creating Abundance Collaborative. Saint Louis Story Stitchers is a recipient of the 2021 Accelerator Award from The Lewis Prize for Music.
- Social Connection and Mental Health
- Youth Organizing & Movement Building
- Community Development & Placemaking
- Workforce Development & Career Pathways
Projects create a platform for community engagement through an artistic lens and with it the Saint Louis Story Stitchers work to shift perceptions and realities and bring hope to the Saint Louis community.
A social enterprise based on publishing and performance supports the mission. The content is the stories of St. Louis. Content collectors are youth and artists. Partners are cultural and educational institutions across the city. Products are indigenous stories retold through performances and publications. Customers are the public, youth, educators, and tourists. The Story Stitchers message is peaceful co-existence and mutual respect.
Social Connection and Mental Health
StitchCast Studio
StitchCast Studio is Story Stitchers’ award-winning youth-led podcast program.
Youth, 16-25 years old who join Stitchers Youth Council may apply for a New Podcaster 4-week introductory course, Alumni Podcasts, and ultimately live podcasting on stage through StitchCast Studio LIVE! Apply today!
Youth bring raw experiences and are supported by regionally and nationally recognized black artists and scholars who work alongside the young activists through collaborative learning experiences inviting dialogue and generating raw, authentic works of art. Story Stitchers use music, spoken word, photography, videography, and dialogue to highlight stories related to trauma such as gun violence, life transitions, and mental health. The work promotes mutual respect for diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, and fosters understanding across the racial, socioeconomic, and age divisions of our region.
#YouthPower movement and help us spread #ArtAgainstViolence.
