Explore FWM @ Home
Photo credit: Jessi Melcer
COMMUNITY RESPONSE PROJECTS
“How can we provide a solution that is effective, using our particular strengths and resources?” As part of FWM @ Home, staff are encouraged to propose projects that would help in protecting health care workers, and/or alleviating psychological, physical, or financial suffering among our communities.
Led by FWM Studio Project Coordinator Abby Lutz, with a collaborative effort from six staff members, this initiative focused on the construction of face masks for local healthcare providers. With the help of a city-wide student volunteer group dedicated to collecting and distributing donated medical supplies to local hospitals in need, masks were delivered to staff at Mercy Health system, Temple University Hospital, Crozer Chester Medical Center, Project HOME, and University City Hospitality Coalition, and more.
Interested in using FWM’s pattern to create your own mask? Download link below.
FWM Project Technician Allen West, in collaboration with Studio staff, utilized the museum’s Budmen Buildini 3D printer to create Personal Protection Equipment for medical staff. The project focused on local shortages of items such as face shields, embracing design changes as more effective versions of equipment were developed internationally to combat COVID-19.
In response to the negative financial effects COVID-19 has had on the cultural landscape, funders are rethinking their priorities and making special efforts to be responsive to the needs of individual artists. Emergency grants are being established locally and nationally to support artists and create positive change through new artistic endeavors.
FWM Executive Director Christina Vassallo and FWM Director of Development Lily Williams will volunteer one hour of Emergency Grant Workshop Sessions to eligible applicants, on a first-come first-served basis. Artists can request workshop sessions with FWM at any stage of their grant application process. Up to 30 minutes will be allocated for materials review in advance of the phone or online session with FWM staff. To schedule a session, please send an email to jessi@fabricworkshopandmuseum.org with the following information:
· Contact info (name, phone, Skype handle and/or Zoom personal ID if you have one)
· Link to grant guidelines/application
· Grant deadline (please keep in mind that applicants will have an appointment with FWM within 5 business days of submitting their materials to us)
· Indicate how you’d like to work with FWM (e.g. to help determine eligibility for the opportunity, brainstorming, review of components at the final draft stage)
Emergency Grant Workshopping Sessions are FREE for artists to participate in, but you must be a current member of FWM.
Proposed by FWM Museum Shop Assistant Sabine Lipten in collaboration with Visitor Services Assistant Serena Niesley, this project focused on the creation of a collection of coloring pages inspired by past FWM Artists-in-Residence. A selection of these pages can be downloaded below, to be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
Photo credit: Nikki Schaffer
EDUCATION INITIATIVES
FWM has a long history of challenging Artists-in-Residence and staff to use innovative materials, methods, and art-making practices. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, our Education team has developed two new series for art teachers and caregivers—Quarantine Prints and Print As—providing opportunities to explore and expand ideas of art making at home. In addition to hosting online events, we’ve also developing a collection of online lessons (now available in our online museum shop) as part of the Print, Process, and Purpose Learning Series.
Quarantine Prints includes a series of how-to videos, led by FWM staff (with the help of their families and pets) centered around art activities that can be easily adjusted to suit the age and abilities of students and/or family members. Our Education staff has also developed a set of accompanying PDFs for free download:
Use these projects to imagine new materials, tools, and possibilities in times of uncertainty and resourceful living. Visit our Learning Resources page for additional activities, subscribe to FWM’s YouTube channel for an expanding collection of videos, and share images of your results on social media using the hashtags #FWMatHome and #FabricWorkshop. Keep checking back for new downloads and updates!
Follow us on Instagram for weekly Print As updates and respond with your own comments and posts on social as we collectively explore what printmaking can be.
Printmaking is integral to FWM’s history and remains a vital part of our mission. Our staff is taking this opportunity to revisit past FWM projects and ways of seeing through the Print As series. In a post highlighting the work of Will Stokes Jr., FWM Curator Karen Patterson shared her take on print as kinship.
As an alternative to on-site offerings, our Education team developed the Print, Process, and Purpose Learning Series. These online lessons include topics such as Drawing for Pattern Design, Singular Image to Endless Pattern, Color for Feeling, and Projects for Print. Visit the Museum Shop for details.
FWM’s public programming has also shifted to host online offerings. Recent events include an artist talk with upcoming Artist-in-Residence Rose B. Simpson, and a conversation exploring the work of featured artist Lorna Simpson with FWM Curator Karen Patterson and Peter Barberie, Curator of Photographs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Visit our YouTube channel to view past conversations and check out our Events page for what’s on deck.
Photo credit: Kelly Kuykendall
ARTIST INTERVIEWS
While our galleries were closed, we started exploring ways of providing an inside look at the process behind our exhibitions with interviews featuring FWM Artists-in-Residence.
The inaugural FWM @ Home with AIRs video features current Artist-in-Residence Samara Golden in conversation with FWM Curator Karen Patterson. While the opening of Golden’s exhibition, Upstairs at Steve’s—originally scheduled for early April—was postponed until September as a result of the pandemic, their interview reveals the unique opportunity for reflection and shifting context presented by the closure. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch future interviews as they are released.
Photo credit: Kristina Price, 'Owl and Pussycat' (video still) featuring past FWM Artist-in-Residence Kiki Smith’s flip doll design
ONLINE MUSEUM SHOP
Shop online and enjoy an expanded selection of items, including Artist Yardage Face Masks. FWM Members also receive a 10% discount on all shop purchases. Learn more about FWM Membership and join today!