Violet Protest

Many thanks to Katy (DZKat on Ravelry) for telling me about this art project! 

Ann Morton, the artist behind Violet Protest

Violet Project is a public engagement, reaching across 50 states, organized by artist AnnMorton and funded by donations and Phoenix Art Museum. 

I am particularly interested in the art that is inspired by the concept of the Violet Project because I have belonged to Braver Angels for over a year. Through the frequent debates and lectures on controversial subjects, Braver Anels "brings Reds, Blues and Others together to talk, listen and understand." There, I have been learning new ways to achieve civil discourse with people whose views may be opposed to my own whether they be "red" or "blue." So, I am looking forward to getting started on the 5 squares I have committed to Violet Project; and hopefully more as time permits.

Phoenix New Times Robrt L. Pela ; January 20, 2020

“Ann Morton thinks of herself as a contemporary artist who uses a fiber aesthetic. Her artwork had pretty much always been political. In a screen-printing class, Ann’s teacher descried her work as subtle. ‘That gave me permission to start really speaking out in my work!’"

Stacks of squares that have been submitted

 For this project, "makers will create squares in both red and blue, regardless of their political affiliation," Morton explained. "'The finished piece will be purple, a blending of red and blue. The finished piece will be purple, a blending of red and blue. “Fiber work is so meditative, and the makers will be knitting for hours on them, or sewing for hours on them, and thinking about what does the blue side stand for, what does the red side want? We’re going to be putting these squares together, and that bringing together is the intention imbued into the cloth.

Square Composite

I need 26,750 squares,'” she said with a laugh. “I’m estimating 4,000 to 5,000 people will be involved.'”

Link to full article.

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 weave, 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.

On display at Phoenix Art Museum until September

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This collection of textile squares is being displayed first at Phoenix Art Museum, until September 2021, before they are sent to the new 117th Congress by late 2021.

Phoenix  Art Museum

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.

                                                                            Phoenix Art Museum

To volunteer 

Deadline to submit squares: August 1, 2021