Stephanie Lynn Rogers brings people together to repair clothing and reflect on identity and relationship to community. The guiding questions behind the Amendments project:
Can a repaired garment become more desirable instead of becoming work or play clothing?
How do the images and symbols on our clothing convey our identities?
What if, instead of walking around wearing the logos of clothing companies, we sported more personal symbols that were meaningful within our own communities?
This project has been activated in a variety of communities:
Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Philadelphia
An Amendments workshop was part of the exhibition Alterations at Temple Contemporary. This activation was supported in part by a Dean’s Grant for Student Research from Tyler School of Art. Documentation photos by Kris Kelley and Stephanie Rogers.
Central Neighborhood, Minneapolis
Amendments came to South Minneapolis through support from Pillsbury House + Theatre’s “ArtBlocks” program. In addition to the flora & fauna of the area, this project tested how strongly people identify with their neighborhood or block.
Patches tested included street sign images from immediately surrounding blocks. Midtown Global Market, a large and visible community landmark, was also represented. Documentation photos by Bruce Silcox and Wing Young Huie.
Community Artist in Residence, Granite Falls, Minnesota
Thanks to support from the Community Artist in Residence program of Granite Area Arts Council, I made two visits to Granite Falls, Minnesota as a mini artist residency. During the first visit, we made a community quilt using Sewing Circle Project and I sourced ideas and images.
Two months later, I returned with finished patches showing community symbols: the Kiwanis popcorn stand, the Roebling footbridge, a rainbow at the hydroelectric dam in downtown, and a mural of the beloved local pelicans painted by local artist and leader Tamara Isfeld.
Getting teenage boys to enjoy and excel at hand sewing may be one of my proudest accomplishments! This project and residency are deeply indebted to Dani Prados, Tamara Isfeld, Lyndsey Weber, and many other community members who welcomed me and helped make my time in Granite Falls possible.
Summary
In every iteration, Amendments merges photography, textiles, and community practice through custom fabric patches using a process developed by Rogers. Photographs of local landmarks and community symbols are printed on recycled polyester and offered in community mending workshops. Participants bring their own clothing, select from available patches, then hand-sew them using provided materials.
Just below the surface: the conversations that happen when hands are busy with another task; the meditative process of hand-sewing as a mental health practice; the positive financial, environmental, and human rights impacts of repair.
When Amendments is successful, participants leave with a repaired garment, a new skill, a new community connection, and a shift in thinking about belonging and how it is signaled by clothing.
Just want some cool patches? Amendments patches are currently available for sale at the Textile Center of Minnesota.