Monday, September 26, 2011

What is the Manitoulin Circle Project?

What is the circle project?

The circle project is the creation of four large meditation panels using hand stitching. They are designed to hang in the sanctuary of the Little Current United Church. They are liturgical pieces and use the gentle colours of Christian faith.

White for celebration and holiness. Green for ordinary days. The four large panels each have a large circle within a large square. They measure between 90 and 100 inches across. Besides the circle in the design, the circle also refers to the circle of women who are welcome to participate in the construction of these pieces every Thursday. The circle project is an attempt to honour domestic rituals. Those small slow things we grew up with, like family meals and conversation. Like mending. The circle project is about slowing down and learning a skill. It's about performing that skill with one's own hands.

It's hand work. It's touch. It's hope.

It's community. It's ritual. It's faith.

The project started when lead artist Judy Martin studied Liturgical embroidery in 2009 and approached Reverend Faye Stevens for advice and support. Part of the course of studies required that Judy design for a real building and go through a commission process and Rev Faye arranged for this to happen.

However, please note. It was JUST THEORETICAL!

The university did not expect the idea to really go ahead. But we were inspired on Manitoulin and so it began in October 2009. This project has nothing to do with Judy's degree work any more.

The Manitoulin Circle project is huge and is not finished yet after nearly two years. But it will be finished. Have faith.