The Violet Protest

As a result of receiving the 2019 Arlene and Morton Scult award for mid-career artist at Phoenix Art Museum, the Violet Protest was launched on January 15, 2020. At that time, the project was slated to be exhibited in September of 2020. Once displayed, the collection of squares would be divvied up between each US Representative and Senator and sent to the new 117th Congress early in 2021. Of course, our country was hit with the Coronavirus pandemic, and so, as of now, the show is re-scheduled for Spring of 2021, with the squares slated for sending off in late 2021.

From the project website:
The Violet Protest is a public effort to send 50 hand-made ​textile squares to each and every member of Congress ​in support of these core American values:

• Respect for the other
• Citizenship
• Compromise
•  Country over party and corporate influence
•  Courage 
• Candor
• Compassion
​• Creativity

Whether we knit, crochet, quilt, or embroider all 26,750 of these squares — through this social action, and from every corner of America; we as makers of all political persuasions, believe we can employ our willing spirit and our talents to contribute to healing divisions that threaten our country. ​This collection of textile squares will be first displayed at Phoenix Art Museum,
in the Spring of 2021, before they are sent to the new 117th Congress by late 2021.

Focused on the values we hold dear as Americans, rather ​than any political beliefs, the color violet symbolizes the literal combination of red and blue, long held as symbols of our nation's differing ideologies. Our common goal is to send a physical message of friendly protest through this colossal visual expression to demonstrate that if we as citizens are ​willing ​to come together, so then must our elected officials.

So much has shifted in our country during the span of this project - the pandemic, the justifiable uprising over police brutality against our black citizens. It has hardened the resolve of some makers, and overwhelmed others. But the project persists, and has taken on so much more meaning and depth as people grapple with how to respond, how to speak and how to participate.

There is so much more to unfold, so hold on, the ride could get bumpy - but we are in it together.

Follow the project at:
www.violetprotest.com
www.facebook.com/thevioletprotest
@thevioletprotest
www.ravelry.com/groups/the-violet-protest

Woven squares by Linda Shinn, Wilmington, Delaware.