Brattleboro-West Arts has become a fixture of our community’s vibrant art scene through exhibits, open studio events, public forums and creative workshops. This year, its members felt moved to share a positive message about the current political climate with the community. 

   All Souls Church at the West Village Meeting House has also become a fixture in the community.  Known for our progressive Worship, welcoming community, and commitment to peace and justice, All Souls Church supports local artists by providing gallery space in which they can display their works.

   During a service of Worship on January 20, 2019 entitled “Poetic Justice,” ASC will gratefully receive and dedicate the “Art Connects US” flag created by 14 BWA members in 2017.  The flag beautifully captures the aspirational aspect of the United States and will serve as a constant encouragement and reminder for us all to reach for those aspirations.

Based on the American flag, the “Art Connects US” mixed-media piece comprises 13 stripes and one rectangular field, each its own work of textile art by a BWA artist that gives voice to issues ranging from immigration to the environment to women’s rights. 

The artists intentionally created this piece in a positive light to encourage community building and inclusivity. These values are so central to the Unitarian Universalist Faith, when we were approached by BWA to permanently house the flag we jumped at the chance. 

The flag was carried by BWA members in the 2017 Strolling of the Heifers parade in Brattleboro. Then it was hung in the Brooks House Atrium for a time. It was also previously displayed in the window of Key Bank.  

In addition to Mitchell and Slowinski, the following artists contributed panels to the flag: Jackie Abrams, Julia Bacon, Marta Bernbaum, Kay Curtis, Lesley Heathcote, Karen Kamenetzky, Naomi Lindenfeld, Stephen Lloyd, Edith Mas, Kris McDermet, Sharon Myers and Jennifer Wiechers.

More information about the flag may be found in this Reformer article.