The Community Quilt Circle Workshops, featuring Colombian textile artists Nicolle Valencia and Shanise Barona, are a three-part workshop happening on Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Lillian Marrero Library.

Starting September 25 and ending October 9, these free community workshops will serve as a safe space for storytelling, real and imagined. This lesson is inspired by the strength and symbolism of textile art in history. An example is arpilleras, colorful textile pieces of artwork first created by Chilean women during the dictatorship regime of Augusto Pinochet. They were testimonies of the Chilean people’s struggles during that time and were a source of financial support for the female textile workers. The workshops served as a community hub and discussion forum.

Community members are encouraged to bring special, sentimental pieces of fabric and material from home to gift to the library and include in the quilt!

Participants will create squares/blocks from fabric and scrap material, which will be combined with others’ work to form a large quilt, to then be displayed at the library. Participants can learn basic sewing skills and enjoy opportunities for conversation and cultural connectivity. Supplies, including scrap fabric, needles, and thread, will be provided on loan.

Curious? Excited? Questions? We want to prepare for you! Pre-registration is available.