The art behind activism

Crafting has always been a practical solution for human survival - making stone tools for hunting, pottery for storage, quilts for warmth. It can also be a powerful mechanism to voice opinions through creativity.

"Craftivism" describes the convergence of craft and activism and has been woven into the fabric of history. For example, in the early 1900s, women in the suffrage movement creatively designed banners, post cards and posters to engage in public demonstrations.

The University of Delaware's Library, Press and Museum, in connection with the Department of Women and Gender Studies' integrated curriculum for the Ida B. Wells Lecture and co-sponsored by the Center for Material Culture Studies, recently hosted its first craftivism workshop to raise awareness of gender-based violence. "Craftivism: The Intersection of Craft and Activism" covered the necessity of craftivism and its many forms and included an open invitation for attendees to create a collective craftivism piece that focuses on advocacy and support for survivors.