On a scorching August afternoon, a unique quilting event took place at a gallery in Chicago’s East Garfield Park, uniting prison reform advocates and families of incarcerated individuals.
This was not an ordinary quilting session; each quilt square served as a tribute to someone either currently or formerly imprisoned within Illinois.
The quilting event marked the conclusion of a series of sessions co-hosted by the gallery Walls Turned Sideways and Restore Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for criminal justice reform.
The initiative aims to craft a collective quilt that symbolizes the approximately 29,300 individuals currently incarcerated in Illinois prisons, with the finished piece set to be displayed at events, along with serving as a visual centerpiece at rallies in Springfield.
“Quilting has such a long history of being a political tool of, like, history-keeping and narrative and storytelling,” said fiber artist Stevie Emrich, who assisted participants during the crafting process.
Family members and supporters of those behind bars contributed personal quilt panels to the project, each encapsulating a unique story and identity within a square no larger than a hand.
Esther Clark poignantly illustrated her nephew’s identity through her square, which features a photograph and words inspired by him, including “Faith,” “Endurance,” and “Family Love.”
“My nephew Darnell has been incarcerated since he was 15, and now he’s 43,” Clark said.
She added a personal touch with the word “FREEDOM” to express her hopes for his future.
Meanwhile, Carmen Alequin dedicated her square to her son AJ, currently at a low-security prison in Kewanee.
The square showcases musical notes spelling out her son’s name, reflecting his passion for singing.
“I’m sorry, I’m getting emotional,” Alequin shared, tears welling up as she looked at her son’s portrait.
“AJ was loved, and is still loved, by many, many.”
The event was coordinated by Julie Anderson, the Outreach Director of Restore Justice, who also runs a support group for families with loved ones incarcerated.
“By creating this quilt together, I believe we are building a community,” Anderson stated.
“We are indeed a community of loved ones, and we want to convey to others that those inside have people outside who care deeply about them.”
James Swansey, who has firsthand experience with incarceration and currently serves as the associate policy director at Restore Justice, also designed a quilt square.
His piece pays homage to his friend Judah, who remains locked up on the opposite side of the state, featuring a bright orange basketball as a central motif symbolizing their shared moments on the court.
“Judah is definitely loved,” Swansey expressed.
“He has a lot of support and is poised to achieve great things once he’s given another chance.”
Through this quilting project, the stories and struggles of incarcerated individuals and their families are vividly depicted, highlighting the human connections that persist even in difficult circumstances.
image source from：chicago
