Cultural Studies & Craftivism

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED! 

DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED!

PLEASE KEEP DROPPING OFF/SENDING YOUR DONATIONS!


Cultural Studies and Craftivism:
Columbia Warms Up America

November 2008- April 2009

Donation drop off:
624 S Michigan
10th floor Peek-A-Boo Room

Cultural Studies and Craftivism: Columbia Warms Up America is a handcrafts based donation drive with the donations sent to Warm Up America. Originally created in 1992 by Evie Rosen, a nationally known knitting teacher and former yarn retailer, Warm Up America is a charitable organization associated with the Craft Yarn Council of America, a non-profit association of yarn companies and publishers.  Volunteers knit or crochet and donate 7” by 9” rectangles made of washable yarn. These pieces then are stitched together to form afghan blankets that are distributed. Recipients include women’s and homeless shelters, hospitals, nursing and daycare centers, and veteran’s homes as well as nationally recognized organization such as the American Red Cross and the Ronald McDonald House.


This is not just yarn. This is not just art.

Handcrafts can no longer be seen as just a hobby as Craftivism has joined other grass roots movements and means of volunteering. Using handcrafts, Craftivism moves forth making the impact of the activist while adding an upfront artistic element. The works of art are a method to bring attention to serious issues and inspire those who are connected.

Knitting and crocheting are for grandmothers ANYONE.

The art of knitting and crocheting crosses boundaries. A person’s gender, economic status, or sexual orientation does not matter. It is no longer “just” a grandmotherly craft as men and women of various ages and backgrounds are now picking up a set of knitting needles or a crochet hook as well as some yarn and creating. They are creating things that inspire, that amaze, and that just make people smile. Something handcrafted and from the heart shows someone that they were thought of and that someone took the time to make an impact in their life, be it large or small. There are movements that span the globe.

You can make someone warm without turning up the heat or using excess energy.

Knitting and crocheting are outlets without outlets. Excess energy is not used since all that is needed is yarn and needles or hooks. As well as helping those in need, the use of an afghan can keep someone from increasing their heating.

Sponsored by the Cultural Studies Program, the Department of Humanities, History, and Social Sciences, The Women's & Gender Studies Minor  and Critical Encounters Human|Nature