April 8 - April 17th, 2022
Exhibition hours:
Monday-Saturday 10-6
Sunday 12-5
See their website more information, events, and workshops!
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From Behind the Mask is a large-scale community artwork focussing on our collective – yet individual – experiences of the coronavirus pandemic. Launched in October 2020, everyone who self-identified as a member of the Tri-City community (Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario) were invited to submit a quilt block reflecting on the prompt:
Quilt blocks were designed to be the shape and size of face masks commonly worn during the coronavirus pandemic. Images were to decorate the front of each block and accompanying text could be added to the back panel. Each quilt block would be tied together to form one large quilt. Quilt block kits were made available for free at a number of local businesses and through the mail. Once returned, the quilt blocks were sewn up by volunteers. The project concluded at the end of April 2021 and was installed in its full length at the Homer Watson House and Gallery before travelling to other locations.
The quilt is both art and architectural space authored by hundreds of people in the Tri-City community. It provides material and space for reflection, grieving, hope and togetherness. Each block represents a unique voice, perspective and experience of life during this time. When the quilt blocks are tied together, we are making space together for each other. The hanging of the quilt makes space for stories of pain, resilience and care here in our community. It is an acknowledgement of inequality and a starting point for community healing.
WHAT
A free community art project!
The quilt is currently on display at the Stanley Park Community Centre. Quilt blocks are also documented virtually on this website - see The Quilt.
WHERE
Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, ON.
WHO
Everyone, young and old, who live, works, studies or has been displaced from the area due to COVID-19, etc. People who self-identified as a community member were invited to submit a block. Quilt block making took place from October 2020 - April 2021.
WHY
We’re making space for pain, resilience and care within our community.
WHEN
October 2020- April 2021
Exhibition began May 27, 2021 at the Homer Watson House and Gallery.
Brenda Reid (she/they) is a recent graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. They are an emerging artist and designer based in Kitchener, ON.
We thank our community for supporting this project by donating their time, materials, expertise, physical locations, and more. This project would not have been possible without their support. Thank you to the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund for their generous financial support of this project. We would also like to thank the Volunteer Action Center and Waterloo Wellbeing for their considerable support.
Each one of these quilt blocks is a collaborative piece. Many people were involved in creating them, from individuals assembling quilt block kits, to the participants themselves, to the sewers making quilt ties and assembling the final blocks. Thank you to the many individuals, organizations and businesses who played a part in creating this work!
Aaron Coté
Agnes Niewiadomski
Amaryah deGroot
Anne Blayney
Anne Willcox
Annie Crump
Anzor S. Stash
Ariel Watson
Brenda Reid
Brendan Lacy
Cailtyn Kodric
Charlene Vanoverbeke
Chelsea Vanoverbeke
Christine Slote
Dave Krzewski
Dianne Boston-Nyp
Dinah Murdoch
Donna Zink
Elli Sigmund
Elly Grant
Heran Yosef
Irena Baltaduonis
Jenn Reid
Joyce Garofalo
Juanita Metzger
Linda Huber
Lorraine Boggs
Marten Pavlov
Meredith Tanner
Nathanael Scheffler
Nicole Reid
Peggy Pickett
Saffiya Kherraji Alami
Stephanie Trotter
Susan Gentilcore
Tahmina Faez
Tessa Dickison
Zoya Laiq
Homer Watson House & Gallery
Volunteer Action Centre
Stanley Park Community Association
Wellbeing Waterloo Region
City of Kitchener
Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery
UW School of Architecture
THEMUSEUM
Waterloo Public Library
Idea Exchange
Café Pyrus
KW Bookstore
The Adventurers Café
Brick & Mortar General Store
The quilt can also be viewed online! View the 500+ block submissions virtually.
SEE QUILT ONLINESign up to receive occasional updates on the project! Including: upcoming exhibitions and news.