Vision Quilt Newsletter for November

visionquilt
Jun 22
3 min read

Dear Vision Quilt Community,

We are reaching out with gratitude, knowing the recent election has stirred a range of emotions across our community. This season reminds us of our shared hopes, fears, and aspirations and how deeply these feelings shape us.

For some, this moment may bring relief and joy; for others, it may evoke pain and reflection. At Vision Quilt, we believe in honoring every feeling and holding space for one another as we process what this time means personally and collectively.

As we enter this season of thanksgiving, we are reminded of the resilience within each of us—a strength that is unbreakable, rooted in our vision for safe and thriving communities. Through art, dialogue, and connection, we stand together to build a future grounded in compassion, hope, and healing.

Thank you for being an important part of this journey. Together, we are the visionaries and changemakers creating a brighter path forward.

The Vision Quilt Team

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MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT

The Growing Vision Quilt - Panel Of The Month

Vision quilt panel by student at Northwest Arts Academy in Portland Oregon

You Are Braver Than You Believe

I know that violence has negatively impacted a lot of people and I wanted to make something positive for people. Gun control matters a lot to me. Childhood is fleeting and I want people who see this to remember that children should be allowed to survive. And people who are depressed can remember that at least one person loves them.

Zadie Neidergang, 14

Northwest Arts Academy in

Portland, Oregon

student holds his visionquilt art panel — Student holding his Vision quilt art panel

CREATE YOUR OWN VISION QUILT PANEL

Express your vision for social justice by creating an 18x24-inch panel using any art medium—draw, stitch, collage, or mix materials. Themes can include hope, healing, equity, courage, and community safety.

Donate Your Panel to Inspire Others:

1125 NW 12th Ave. #1505

Portland, OR 97209

Share a photo of your panel to visionquilt@gmail.com

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NEWS & UPDATES

Woman and child in art studio, child holds sign reading "CRITICAL SUPPORT IS WHAT SOLIDARITY LOOKS LIKE." Others screen printing "RECLAIM MLK." — Don't Shoot Portland, hosting a community event with a day of creative expression and education.

DON'T SHOOT PORTLAND

In October Don’t Shoot Portland hosted an empowering event: Move with Purpose: Wellness & Rights in Activism. This event brought together community members for a day of creative expression and education, including:

Printmaking & Art Build: Participants engaged in hands-on art activities as a form of expression and community building.

Panel Discussion: Attendees joined us for a panel featuring mental health professional Dr. Tee Mayfield, LPC-S MFT, C-DBT, and civil rights attorney Jesse Merrithew.

Dr. Tee Mayfield provided insights on trauma-informed mental health support for those experiencing emotional trauma from racialized violence, particularly in activism settings.

Attorney Jesse Merrithew shared valuable legal information, including rights during protests, strategies for documenting incidents, and tips for self-advocacy if harm occurs.

This partnership underscores our commitment to empowering our community with resources for both wellness and self-protection in the pursuit of social justice.

PARKROSE HIGH SCHOOL

Margaret leading a discussion with Parkrose students working through the vision quilt program — Margaret Leading a discussion with Parkrose students

Senior Nichole Champion from Lewis and Clark College designed a Wellness Seminar for fifteen first generation college bound seniors at Parkrose High School in Portland, Oregon. Free Arts Northwest connected Nichole to Orion Rodriquez, a graduate student from the Lewis and Clark College Art Therapy Department to facilitate dynamic class discussions on gun violence and create Vision Quilt panels.

We can’t wait to showcase their creativity and thoughtful visions!

Quilt with peace signs, hearts, and flowers in orange and gray. Text: "Vision Quilt Preventing Gun Violence Year End Drive."

JOIN US IN CREATING SAFE COMMUNITIES

Every day, children hear gunshots and wake up in fear, while families across the U.S. mourn the tragic loss of loved ones to gun violence. It doesn’t have to be this way—you can be part of the solution. By supporting Vision Quilt’s Year-End Drive, you’ll help fund workshops and programs that empower communities to create lasting change through art and dialogue. Our goal is to raise $25,000 to make this impact possible in 2025. Join us in preventing gun violence!

Donate December 3rd and help build safer, stronger communities!

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WATCH OUR DOCUMTARY

Addressing Gun Violence: Creating Visionaries, Storytellers and Changemakers

THE AGV TOOLKIT

Creating Visionaries, Storytellers, and Community Activists Addressing Gun Violence

Illustration with three circles: profiles with light bulb, eye, and multiple faces. Text: Addressing Gun Violence. Warm colors. — AGV TOOLKIT

The trauma-informed curriculum is free for educators, community centers and museums to use and/or adopt to their students and communities nationwide. We believe this curriculum is a key solution to the escalation of gun violence in our country and to addressing the trauma youth, teachers and families are experiencing all too frequently.

Learn More