Ellis Lower School Patches Together Community Quilting Project
Ellis students, faculty and staff are patching together a creative quilting project that will bring together all three Divisions. The project, which grew out of an idea pitched during an Ellis Parent Association (EPA) meeting, is a way for each member of the community to share a bit of art that’s representative of themselves or something they enjoy—and that tells the story of the Ellis community in the process.
"We wanted to create something that allowed all of us to work together toward a shared goal," said Ellis parent and Pre-K Aide Amanda Plashal, who is organizing the project. The aim is to create two quilts for each Division that can be raffled off during school events.
The quilt-making process began with Lower School students, who started crafting quilt squares during Fall Festival in October. Ms. Plashal has been taking squares to the students during their free periods and plans to work her way through each grade level. Faculty and staff have contributed to the project as well.
In addition to the artistic element, there’s an educational component to the project as well—especially in the historical context of how women communicated and shared information with each other. Ms. Plashal, a fiber artist and avid crafter, sees quilting as more than just a hobby. For women in particular, it was a way to share news and information when they were excluded from more formal salons and community organizations that reserved membership for men.
"Quilting has a rich history of bringing people together, especially women," she said. "It’s been used as a platform for telling stories, sending messages, and creating community, from suffrage movement quilts to the political messages that have been sewn into fabrics over the years. There’s just something incredibly meaningful about contributing to something larger than yourself, and quilting has this ability to convey that feeling.”
Lower School Division Head Dr. Jamie Schiff said this project is just one of the many ways Ellis students make their mark.
“Through their quilting project, our Lower School students found a unique and creative way to express their voices, stitching together their ideas, dreams, and perspectives into a beautiful collaborative work,” Dr. Schiff said. “Each square tells a story, reflecting their individuality while coming together as a powerful symbol of unity. By showing that their voices matter, even at a young age, they learn that they can have a meaningful impact on their community.”
About 410 squares are needed to complete the project, and all members of the Ellis community are welcome to contribute. Look for a table at the Fine Arts Festival on April 25 to participate.
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