Gratitude

I am grateful to Loyola University Maryland, who provided me with the gift of time during my yearlong sabbatical. The sabbatical provided me with the opportunity to research new ideas and artists from the past and present.  The final exhibition shows new work that advocates for awareness and justice through the stories of the members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Loyola’s Mission statement reads:

“As Jesuit educators, students, and more importantly, as human beings, we have a responsibility to offer hope, access, and equity to all people—and to stand up for those whose voices wouldn’t be heard otherwise.”  I am grateful to Loyola that this exhibition is possible and supported.

I am grateful to every person who participated in this project and who allowed me to tell their stories and trusted me to do so with dignity.

I am grateful for all who offered me technical help with so many things, who reassured me as we worked through the project, and who gently taught me many things along the way.

Specifically, I would like to thank:

Pat Cassidy, Director, LGBTQ+ Student Services. Without Pat, there would have not been a community of story tellers joining the project. I cannot express how thankful I am for his support. Pat was the first person I ran my ideas by, and his guidance throughout the entire process was thoughtful and fair. He was so kind and affirming. We are so fortunate to have Pat as an integral member of the Loyola community.

Alexis Piasecki, President, the LGBTQ+ Experience, Jujuan Lawson and all members of the LGBTQ+ experience for their support and kindness.  Alexis was the driving force for stories getting written. There would have been few stories without Alexis and all their friends. Jujuan created the video montage that accompanies the banners and memorial portraits in the exhibition.

Adrian Gomes, President, Maru Torres Colom, and all members of Spectrum for their support and kindness. I will always remember making stories and watching the movie “Coraline” together in our workshop.

Megan Rook-Koepsel, Director and Curator, Julio Fine Arts gallery and her amazing work study students: Ari Acevedo, Shy Bailey, Willow Caverly, San Cho, Johnathan Kane, Isabella Pineda, and Ava Royer. I am so grateful for the extraordinary support and kindness you gave to this project. Your professionalism made the work shine at its best.

Dan Schlapbach, Professor, Department of Visual and Performing Arts. whose work photographing and editing all stories was essential to the book. “We’re All Stories.”

I am grateful to my fabulous and spicy Drawing with Color students for making the banners sing.

Kevin Atticks, Department of Communication and Media, Director, Apprentice House Press, Advisor, Evergreen Annual.  One early morning outside of Starbucks, Kevin suggested turning all stories into a book and then he made the beautiful book come to life. Thank you.

Heidi Shaker, Associate Professor, Modern Languages and Literature and the Peace and Justice committee who awarded me a Peace and Justice grant. This grant allowed us to collect stories, buy supplies, and to print a book.

Daniel Pinha, Associate Professor, Department of Visual and Performing Arts, and Allison Peoples. My two theatre colleagues gave me advice on what type of fabric I should use for the banners, and logistical problem solving. I had no idea what I was in for when I decided to make banners; their advice and wisdom allowed the project to begin.

Mischelle Wilbricht, my batik teacher, and Art Farm Annapolis who sponsored all batik workshops. Michelle’s gentle teachings about batik and breathing and understanding of what is important allowed me to learn the beautiful art of batik, which is not only a technical skill, but a way of experiencing life.

Veronica Ford, Kerri Litz and Vanessa Perrigo for teaching me all about how to work with fabric. I learned that I needed to take the time and do it right. I tried!!!

Father Tim Brown, my friend, mentor and man of ideas, who has always been a source of inspiration for learning and trying new things.

 Rhona Little, Michael Puma and Melissa Lees: Workshop coordinators and supporters of this collaborative project, they provided organization, shared their art supplies, and provided opportunities for members of the administration, faculty and staff to share their stories.

To my family: Ceil Helinski – my wonderful sister and amazing seamstress. Emma Seely – my wonderful daughter and writer and whose tattoo “We’re All Stories,” I borrowed for the title of this show. Mark Seely – my wonderful problem solver and husband and owner of every power tool needed for this exhibition to happen.

To you, the viewer, who took the time to enter the gallery or look through this website, and look at the visual work and read the stories. Without you participating, there is no conversation. Thank you.