25 million stitches

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/01/2020 (2288 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Social Justice 2020 begins in Crescentwood and Darlene Payne is going to put Winnipeg on the map at the Museum of Northern California Art in Sacramento, Calif. this summer.    

There are 25 million refugees in the world and thanks to Darlene’s leadership, Winnipeg will participate by stitching panels from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 11 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg (603 Wellington Cres.) in recognition of them. Each stitch will represent a refugee and will serve to draw attention to this human tragedy through art. Over 1,000 participants from Canada and the U.S. have already registered and Darlene will register this particular Winnipeg group.     

The 25 Million Stitches public art installation will serve to visually show the magnitude of the refugee crisis and to encourage conversation about the plight of refugees worldwide. Panels (15x36x72 inches) and threads will be provided and Darlene will co-ordinate the gathering. She will teach the basic simple running stitch to novice sewers.    

“By combining the work of all the stitchers, it sends a message that we are listening and caring learning about refugee situation,” Darlene said.  “It is hard to comprehend such a large number of displaced people and seeing the numbers represented in stitches is hard-hitting.”    

Those interested in stitching for global justice just need to show up on Jan. 11 and know that your love, emanating from the heart of the continent, will make a difference.   

Heather Emberley is a community correspondent for Crescentwood. Email her at heather.emberley@gmail.com if you have a story suggestion.