Perception Isn’t Always Reality

Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective
presents
“Perception Isn’t Always Reality”

February 6-28, Black History Month 2015

Celebrate Black History Month this year at the Kranzberg Arts Center with the premier of Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective’s Perception Isn’t Always Reality. The Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective is a Missouri non-profit that brings teens and artists together in documenting our community through art, word, video, and music. Perception Isn’t Always Reality is a cultural exchange that explores the dynamics of community in St. Louis through issues of identity, bias, and public perception as related to individual lives.

All through February, the Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective will hold a series of public events including a discussion and book signing with Kim Norwood, author of Color Matters, participatory activities for teens such as the Teen Stitch Squad Sessions led by the Stitchers Teen Council, and a final performance by St. Louis RAP legends KP Dennis and Jarmel Reece.

The project also features an interactive Gallery/Incubator installation with a video sketchbook. Stitchers Teen Council work is created in collaboration with the Nine Academy at the Nine Network and United Story. The Saint Louis Storybook Photo Booth invites guests to document their own stories related to perception and reality, and to reflect on the question “What does Black History Month mean to me?” Participants will receive a Polaroid portrait and be invited to become part of the exhibition through a drawing maker space.

Perception Isn’t Always Reality is a platform for community engagement through an artistic lens, with it the Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective works to shift perceptions and realities and bring hope to our community. Join us this February at the Kranzberg Arts Center and become part of this vital project.

Partners:
Kranzberg Arts Center
Craft Alliance Center of Art and Design
Nine Network’s Nine Academy
United Story

Artists Leading the Project:
Artists leading the project are Susan Colangelo, Jamie Mr. KP Dennis, Jarmel Reece, Waheed Abdul Muhaimin, and members of the Stitchers Teen Council.

Artists Participating in the Project:
Norleen Nosri, Chris Hansen, Buzz Spector, Carmon Colangelo, Kait Mauro, Katherine Story, Denise Ward Brown, Monika Weiss, Kimberly Norwood, De Andrea Nichols, Mike Pagano, and more.