By Brecia Kralovic-Logan
How can weaving a story be a powerful act of compassion, and a catalyst for growth and self-awareness? I was recently invited to lead two “Hope and Healing” workshops for the community as a part of the Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) of Santa Barbara’s outreach programming during October- Domestic Violence Awareness month. During these workshops folks learned how to weave using a simple weaving method, were asked to reflect on the strengths that they bring to life’s challenges, and then weave their own story into a one of a kind strip of cloth. Many of the participants had experienced violent relationships and shared that creating a woven “Story Cloth” as a way of expressing themselves allowed them to feel a sense of calm while accessing their inner strength.
I am the founder of the Women’s Woven Voices project - an international, collaborative art project that supports women in claiming their personal power by inviting them to write, weave and share their stories. Participants are invited to reflect on their lives and learn how to weave a simple “Story Cloth” to add to a collective tapestry. The tapestry raises awareness about solutions to challenges women experience globally including domestic violence, abuse, and inequity.
Contributing creative and compassionate action to making the world a safer place for women and girls to thrive has long been a passion of mine. The Women’s Woven Voices project began in 2018 and over the past 6 years I have taught workshops at schools, universities, museums, art organizations, church groups, teen centers, veteran’s groups, centers for refugee moms and community groups. The tapestry currently has over 1,000 story cloths from people from across the United States, Australia, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Northern Ireland, and Syria. As a part of my mission to raise awareness, I added a red fringe to the bottom of the tapestry to foster conversations promoting positive counterpoints to gender-based violence including compassion, open communication, active listening, and peaceful interaction.
Weaving a piece of cloth connects our hands and hearts and reminds us of our human resourcefulness. Using a simple, hand-held, weaving method done on soda straws, people discover weaving in a way that is simple and fun and experience the healing power of a calming repetitive activity. This weaving activity is great for children and in fact, I have taught many different lessons using this weaving method in schools, at museums, and art camps to kids seven years old and older.
I strongly believe that storytelling and art are powerful creative forces and feedback from people who have participated in my workshops often confirms this. One participant shared:
It was healing to weave this strip in my own way but with the knowledge that it would join hundreds of others in celebration of women’s resilience and empowerment.
During one of the “Hope and Healing” workshops, a participant shared through tears that seeing the tapestry and knowing that each one of the strips represented a person who had overcome challenges in their life helped them to feel that they are not alone.
The Women’s Woven Voices tapestry has been exhibited at schools, universities, museums, galleries, community centers, senior communities, international art conferences, at the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls NGO forum, at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, and most recently as a part of the Domestic Violence Solutions programs. The project continues to amplify the messages of organizations, like the Domestic Violence Solutions, and provides resources for others to use weaving as a catalyst for positive change.
I will be sharing the story behind the Women’s Woven Voices project during the upcoming Waldorf Handwork Educators online Conference: Growing Together- The power of Community Handwork.
To hear more about The Women's Woven Voices project and learn how you can bring your community together through weaving, join us online February 15-17, 2025 for our Online International Handwork Teaching Conference!
Brecia Kralovic-Logan is a fiber artist, women’s advocate, and champion of creativity. She is the author of “The Spiral of Creativity- Mastering the Art of a Spirited Life.” She teaches and exhibits her art internationally.
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