As we approach the midpoint of the year, we reflect on our collective journey in The Gathering for Change Agents. We have developed a deeper understanding of our values, beliefs, gifts, shadows, reconciliation and survival strategies. These are all essential pieces of awareness for us to navigate how we interact with each other to build community.

So how do we weave together everything we are learning about ourselves and how we thrive in the face of uncertainty with the infinitely complex threads of relationship that come together to build the communities that sustain us?

On Wednesday, July 7, join us for an experiential discussion with Shannon Downey about crafting community. She will share her riveting journey about a hobby that began as a personal exploration for digital/analog balance that evolved into a wildly unexpected tool of community building, mobilizing, and transformative positive change.

What are some unexpected ways of community building, disruption, or changemaking that you have seen, led, or experienced?

How are you listening and co-creating within your communities?

During this session, we will explore:

• Shannon’s journey to build community through art and activism
• The history of women’s contributions to social progress through craftivism
• The resistance Shannon regularly faces from forces in the world that resist change
• How the community evolved during the pandemic
• How a community weaves diverse identities together
• The relationship between physical crafting, art, circle, relationships and community
• How anyone can get involved in craftivism

Shannon Downey, better known as Badass Cross Stitch, is a community organizer disguised as a fiber artist and craftivist. She blends her politics, activism, and art into projects that are designed to inspire others to take action, think, discuss, engage with democracy and their community, and find some digital/analog balance. She is the instigator behind #RitasQuilt #MakeDontBreak and @BadassHerstory

She is on a quest to teach 1 million people to embroider and invite society to rethink how we categorize, and value craft and art. Shannon sold everything she owned and moved into an RV this past June to bring art, activism, and community to the country that she still believes in. She teaches at Columbia College, DePaul University, Salem College and is founder of Seriously Badass Women. Her life motto is: Make Art. Smash Systems.

Our Next Gathering for Change Agents is on July 7, 2021 – Join us!

Event: The Gathering: A monthly community call to support change agents in fulfilling their mission to create a better world
Date: Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Times: 12 pm Pacific time, 3 pm Eastern, 2 pm Colombia, 10 pm Israel,
7 pm GMT*, 5 am (Thursday) Sydney

*This GMT time does not take Daylight Saving Time into account. If your country is on Daylight Saving Time, add an hour.

Call length: 90 minutes
Cost: None!

We welcome you to connect with Gathering members on our Facebook group. Every Monday is an opportunity to share your purposeful offerings or special events. 

Invite others to the Gathering with this link: http://gatheringforchange.com/

By RSVP’ing for this gathering, you will be added to the Gathering for Change Agents email list, which you can unsubscribe to at any time.