A year and a half ago I sold everything I owned, gave up my job, moved into an RV and hit the road for what was supposed to be a one-year tour of art activism, community mobilizing, and art interventions. A month before I left (past the point of no return) covid hit. All of the events that I had planned were canceled (obviously). I had no idea what I was going to do, but I started driving.
The RV parks closed because of covid … shit. I started a google form and y’all showed up big time signing up to host me in your driveways. I got to meet amazing humans and make art with you outside in small groups. We found solves and pivots and zooms and we made magic despite the major limitations, and I love you for that.
It was a pretty stressful year on the road learning how to live in an RV, in a pandemic, and figure out how to sustain myself when all of my planned income vanished in the blink of an eye. At the same time, I was grateful not to be stuck in an apartment in Chicago for a year and half.
(Except when I almost died in Austin, Texas during that insane freeze. That sucked. But amazing humans took me and my dog in for a week and saved our lives.)
The last two months have been exciting because I’ve been able to start to live the original vision. I’ve been seeing folks in person, making community art, having art shows, hosting in person workshops AND zoom workshops for my global community.
I am currently in Boston, and I have decided I’m taking a do over! I am going to stay on the road and try to realize the original vision for at least another year. I have mapped out the route - as compared to the last year where I sort of drove around the country chasing opportunities and flat driveways.
I am hoping y’all are on board and will help me start planning cool shit as I come through your town! With a route and general dates, we can start making magic. I want to know you, stitch with you, support your community work, teach you how to stitch, talk about all the things we aren’t supposed to talk about, and find ways to make good trouble ; )
How you can help:
Take a look at the map/schedule and if you are in those areas or know folks who are - reach out. I’m looking for small businesses, organizations, groups of friends, guilds, community spaces, libraries, colleges, art galleries, etc. who would want to hook up with me to plan things. These things can look like: community art events aligned with your mission/cause, stitch-ups, workshops, speaking engagements, community art making, craftivism projects, art shows, and really anything else we can come up with!
BadassCrossStitch@gmail.com
I’m also looking for driveways, land, or other flat spots to park the rig while I’m in town. Here’s a link to a google form to fill out if you have a spot for me.
My rig is 26’ long, 10.8’ tall, 8.5’ wide. Having access to an outdoor plug is invaluable. Wifi is a huge bonus. I’m self-contained and never have to come into your home (but if you invite me in for baked goods I’ll be there!)
If you are down, hit me up! I’m feeling rejuvenated in this vision and ready to both take a few weeks break at the end of December in GA and make all the plans for fun and action this coming year. Let’s play!!!
The plan (a draft):
Dec 2 – 6 Richmond, VA (need a spot to park)
Dec 6 – 9 Fayetteville, NC
Dec 9 – 30 Savannah, GA
January Montgomery, AL
New Orleans, LA
Houston, TX
San Antonio, TX
February Fort Stockton, TX
El Paso, TX
Tucson, AZ
Phoenix, AZ (Quiltcon)
March San Diego, CA
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
April Lake Tahoe
Reno, NV
Salt Lake City, UT
May Denver, CO
Kansas City, MO
St Louis, MO
Louisville, KY
June Columbus, OH
Pittsburg, PA
Toronto, Canada
July Montreal, Canada
Woodstock, VT
August Portland, ME
More New England Spots
Boston, MA
Then I’ll re-assess and see where things stand and how I’m feeling.
Also, if you just want to throw a few dollars of support my way it will go to funding the work —> Venmo
OR
Join my Patreon Community for loads of fun stuff like monthly Zoom stitch-ups, free patterns, projects, and community.
xo
Shannon