The Community Fabric Project

Presented by Art Not Shame, the Community Fabric project was a free, ten-week community-arts series in which participants work together to create a community quilt, while building social connections and developing skills to support their mental health and wellbeing. Each week the quilt grew as community members explore mark-making through textiles as local artist facilitators guide them through teachings around appliqué, embroidery, hand-sewing, printmaking, and quilting. In collaboration with the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition and the Guelph Civic Museum, participants co-created a quilt that shares stories and experiences from neighbourhood groups across the City of Guelph. The quilt is now housed in Art Not Shame’s new community arts hub, as a representation of the community members who will use the space and a physical symbol of inclusivity. The quilt was included in an exhibition at the Guelph Civic Museum in the Fall of 2024.