Passing the Torch: Northern California Liberty Crochet Mural Moves From One Hand to Another in Display of Solidarity for Women’s Reproductive Rights
Passing the Torch: Northern California Liberty Crochet Mural Moves From One Hand to Another in Display of Solidarity for Women’s Reproductive Rights
Kathryn Vercillo In Conversation with Marie K. Lee and Jen LaMastra
TL;DR … The Liberty Crochet Mural is a nationwide effort that so far includes 25 identical 11’ x 17’ foot murals. I’ve taken the lead on organizing where it will be displayed, and the events that will take place around it, throughout 2024. In this article, I share how I came to this project. I also interview Marie K. Lee, who was in my role previously, and Jen LaMastra, the creator behind the entire thing. Learn what it’s about, why it’s important, how it relates to not just our physical health but also individual and collective mental health, and so much more from the entire article. The first 2024 display is at the Women Rising exhibit at Drawing Room SF for one month beginning 2/24/24.
In the face of sweeping changes across the nation when it comes to the rights of women, BIPOC, queer individuals and others, we can’t become immobilized by the overwhelm of distress. Instead, we must find a way to act. The way is different for everyone. For a large group of crocheters across the nation, the Liberty Crochet Mural has served as one way to speak out creatively and collectively for women’s (and all people’s) reproductive and health care rights in the face of Roe v. Wade being overturned in 2022. Having recently been honored with the opportunity to take the reins of coordinating public spaces to display the Northern California mural, I am here to share with you more information about the project, what’s happened with it so far, and what the hopes are for the future.
What Is The Liberty Crochet Mural Project?
“After the shock of Roe v. Wade being overturned by the United States Supreme Court, outraged fiber artist Jen LaMastra designed and organized the Liberty Crochet Mural (LCM). Craftivist allies from across the country joined together by picking up their crochet hooks as a subversive act of revolution and dissent. 40 squares, amassing 17ft by 11ft — stitched together — amplifying millions of unheard voices.
The 150,000 stitches show Lady Liberty elevating a uterus that is being supported by the American Medical Association symbol. The three stars recognize the three Supreme Court justices who dissented, and the pink triangle is emblematic of all people with uteruses and the full spectrum needs of reproductive healthcare.
Since June 2022, 25 different Liberty Crochet Murals have been created across the United States. Our murals have been displayed at concerts, rallies, marches, health centers, art shows, a synagogue, as well as, on buildings, in parks, and inside government buildings like city hall.” - Liberty Crochet Mural website
My Story of Joining in With the LCM Project
As soon as I heard about the Liberty Crochet Mural project, I inquired about how to join in and do my part. For years, I have utilized my crochet and writing skills to contribute to collective projects that are more than the sum of their parts and have the potential to create big changes in the world. Historically I’ve often just sent in my contribution to a project, written about it online somewhere, and moved forward to the next thing. And there’s nothing wrong with this. Collaborative awareness-raising projects need this kind of contribution.
And sometimes, honestly, that’s all that one person can do at any given time. 2022 was definitely a time like that for me. COVID-19 differences had created a rupture in my family that we were struggling to get through. I fractured my ankle and it took me over six months to really even begin to be able to walk much - six months when I had a growing rambunctious puppy in an apartment up two flights of stairs. My dad had a year of terrible sickness and passed on Christmas Eve that year. A year when my recurring struggle with depression reached one of the hardest times ever and I wasn’t sure I was going to survive it. This is to say that I was going through my own personal trauma at the same time that the nation/world was going through some really terrible changes. I wanted to do my part and also I was limited in what I could do. And yet, the amazing thing about projects like this is that you can join in and do just a little and it all adds up to a big difference and that helps. It helped my mental health and the feeling of the whole world being out of control to crochet my square. I’ve done enough of these projects to know that my square joins every other square and my story joins every other story and that’s where the power is in these projects.
Over time, though, I found myself both wanting to do more and capable of doing so. When it came time for volunteers to come together to stitch the Liberty Crochet Mural into a solid piece, I joined in. If I’m honest, I missed the first opportunity to do so because of illness or depression or overwhelm or whatever it was that I don’t quite recall, but I joined in on the second opportunity. I made my way to the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design. I met Marie K. Lee, who had taken the helm of leadership in terms of organizing the installation of the piece. I met a few other contributors. We stitched and we talked.
And then that was that. The mural went on to do its thing throughout the city and I went on to do mine. But then in late 2023, Marie shared that she was moving on to other things herself, and she was seeking someone interested in taking over the leadership duties. In spite of having approximately one million and three things on my busy schedule, I immediately knew that I wanted to make time and space to step into this role. Because it’s an election year, because it’s important, because I’ve become more connected than ever to arts activism in this city in the past year and I believe that this is something I can take on. I wouldn’t ever be able to do it alone, but I have an amazing support system of creatives around me, mostly (but not entirely) who identify as women, and I know that with everyone’s support, I can keep this important work on display this year.
This project is more than the sum of its parts. Our voices matter.
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Northern California Liberty Crochet Mural: Looking Back and Looking Forward
I have lots of thoughts and hopes for what I can help do with the mural in 2024. But before I do, I think it’s important to take a look back at where it’s already been.
And for that, I am inviting Marie K. Lee to join the conversation.
Hi Marie, so glad to have you here today to answer a few questions for us. First, can you tell us a little bit about who you are and what your history is with crochet/art/creative activism?
Hi Kathryn! The idea of craftivism has been on my radar for quite some time, but before this project, I didn’t have too much personal experience with activism through arts/crafts.
My first dip into craftivism was in 2009, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that all U.S.-based television signals be transmitted digitally. This meant that many televisions went into landfills. In response, I sewed a body bag for an analog TV and photographed it like a dead body at a crime scene.
But since then and the Liberty Crochet Mural, I haven't done too much. I love the idea of yarn bombing since it became a thing in the early 2002’s but the eco-friendly side of my brain has always kept me from doing it.
What inspired you to join the Liberty Crochet Mural project in the role of project lead?
I think like you, during the pandemic lockdown, I was going through my own personal trauma at the same time that the nation/world was going through. I felt helpless and angry.
In October 2022, I saw an Instagram (IG) post from local artist Twinkie Chan about how she had crocheted a square for the LCM in Kentucky. I then started following the @liberty_crochet_mural IG account. A few months later (Feb 2023), I saw that there wasn’t an LCM in California. I was surprised there wasn’t one in here yet. And since I was still angry about the overturning, I signed up to organize the Northern CA version!
Give us a brief overview of where the NorCal LCM has been displayed so far … and any receptions/events that happened …
I was so fortunate to meet Alisa Polischuk (@aleeeska on IG) while the SF School of Needlework and Design (SFSNAD) was still around – sadly, they ceased operating in January 2024. Alisa was instrumental in help with the mural, from donating space for us to stitch up the all 40 of the 2’ x 2’ panels together, helping us premier it on International Women’s Day (March 8, 2023) by rigging it up outside of the SFSNAD’s building, and then providing a space to display it inside SFSNAD for a month.
Unfortunately, it was supposed to then be displayed in the Drawing Room on Valencia Street for a few weeks, but they lost their lease on that space.
Good news: They’ve found another space on Valencia and 17th starting in January 2024! The mural will be on display there during the Women Rising 2024 exhibit which runs 2/24/24 through 3/24/24. We have some awesome events planned. Stay tuned.
I was totally bummed out, but then out of the blue, Todd Hanson (@toddah.sf on IG) called me to ask if I had any curatorial ideas for a pop up art space on Cortland called Four Chicken Gallery (@fourchickengallery on IG) and he let me curate an art show based around the mural for the Earth Day weekend. It was so energizing to meet new neighbors after having been on lockdown for so long.
After that, the mural was on display at the historic Women’s Building for a couple of months. It was hanging under a neon vagina – such a perfect location for the mural. We had an inspiring community event in both English and Spanish to mark the one year after the overturning.
What have been some of the most inspiring moments you’ve experienced as you’ve worked on this project?
I’ve seen a few people tear up after seeing it for the first time. It’s really awe-inspiring to see how powerful art can be.
What have been some of the biggest challenges?
Due to the size of the mural (17’ x 11’), it’s difficult to find venues (and the people power) to install it. And at times, it’s been hard to keep the momentum of energy up.
I personally find that participating in collaborative creative projects like this is beneficial for my mental health/wellness … any thoughts/experiences related to that?
This project has been such a powerful way to channel my anger and build community around a cause. And I’ve gotten to meet people like you, Kathryn, that I wouldn’t have normally.
What is your best advice to me as I take over this role from you?
Hmm, for me, I was originally trying to get it displayed in art venues. I’ve been trying to think of unconventional spots to display it since I think it’s important to get as many eyeballs on it as possible. Especially with the 2024 elections coming up, women’s rights (and our health) is something that we need to continue to fight for. With the craziness of the world, it seems like it’s easy to forget about it or feel numb.
Who should we make sure to shoutout/mention as critical to the Northern California mural?
Well, besides Jen LaMastra, the creator of the project, and the others that I’ve already mentioned in this interview, I have to thank Bridget Louie. She’s volunteered so much time to the project and has been there for almost every installation and deinstallation. I’ve been calling her my Chief Stitch Officer!
What do you most hope this mural can do in 2024?
I hope the mural reminds people to get out there and vote for our rights to access safe and legal abortions. It’s not just our sexual and reproductive rights that are at risk; our right to healthcare is being jeopardized – and not just those with uteri but also transgender and nonbinary people, people of color, marginalized communities, those in low-income areas, and healthcare providers.
And before we move forward in 2024, let’s take a look back at the whole nationwide project, for which I’m inviting project designer Jen LaMastra to join the conversation.
Hi Jen, thanks for taking the time to share some thoughts with us today, and of course, for launching this project in the first place.
What inspired you to start this project and to do so on such a large scale?
I was just so mad! Like many folks, when the leak happened in 2022 that the supreme court was going to overturn Roe, I was filled with some big feelings… outrage, devastation, anger, confusion, disbelief – to name a few. I wanted a way to express those big feelings.
I had just participated in a community crochet project led by London Kaye protesting the war in Ukraine, and I thought doing a similar project advocating for bodily autonomy was fitting. I reached out to her in hopes to collaborate, and create a large crochet mural in support of choice. She was generous to chat with me though it wasn’t a project that fit with her crochet group, “Love Across the USA”-- she was supportive to say I should do it. And so I did.
The mural needs to be big to display the BIG feelings of having our rights taken away. To stand in front of this piece is awe inspiring; a handmade product towering before you, shows the many hands, and the many voices that created it. After completing the Oregon Mural and displaying it at the Planned Parenthood Abortion Justice Gathering in Aug 2022, I was greeted by women with wet eyes and big smiles at the display mirroring their broken hearts. Person after person stood proudly in front of the mural and took their picture. It was a transformative day to have a piece of art mean so much to so many people.
I realized I wasn’t done with this one event. That it should tour the state, and perhaps there should be a mural for every state. So I put it out there. I posted to my facebook and to instagram seeking folks in other states that were interested in duplicating this mural as a way of igniting their communities and bringing a bold artful message to the masses.
What have been the biggest challenges of organizing something so large?
Obviously coordinating this many volunteers has its challenges, (answering questions, receiving squares on time, finding a place to display it, getting enough volunteers to help assemble and install it), but organizing all the pieces and parts, that might also be the thrill of working on a community art project. I think work like this it’s hard to sustain the energy for the fight. People can start out with a lot of energy and fire within them, and quickly fade if that fire isn’t stoked and tended to. As a host of a mural, there can be a lot of disappointment trying to find a location to display it - especially for those that live in states where politically abortion access is limited. Safety. Courage. Stamina. These may be the biggest challenges.
What were your biggest hopes when launching the project and have you seen those come true?
My biggest hope would be to reverse the overturning of Roe and have safe abortion access to all. The path towards that in regards to the mural is to have as many eyes on this mural as possible, to spread it far and wide, and to have it enact change. We’re up to 25 states participating in making murals for their states. There have been crocheters from every state contributing, as well as folks from other countries. I hope to continue supporting more folks in making murals for their states. I hope this gets national recognition with this upcoming election, as a way of demonstrating our voices.
I personally find that participating in collaborative creative projects like this is beneficial for my mental health/wellness … any thoughts/experiences related to that?
The best part of this project has been the people. I’ve met so many amazingly generous people. I’ve had complete strangers, (people I met from instagram), invite me to their home, feed me, house me, and share their community. I’ve had the privilege of traveling to a few states and helping with assembling their murals. I sat with women of all ages, looping yarn with our crochet hooks, and listening to stories of their lives. Brought together by craft, and our shared desire to say something and do something - it’s an incredible community. I felt connected to all these different women in all these different states. We’re not as dissimilar as the news would have you believe.
What are some of the highlights of the various Liberty Crochet Murals across the country so far?
I’m proud of every single person that has participated in whatever contribution they’ve made. Some folks took up crocheting just to participate in this project. They had to rip out hundreds of stitches to complete their square of the puzzle. I’m so proud of them. I’m proud of the men that crocheted alongside their daughter and wife to participate. I’m proud of the crocheters that have submitted crochet squares for dozens of different murals. I’m proud of the onslaught of hashtags that say #libertycrochetmural, and they’re holding up their completed square. I’m proud of the hosts who had to use power tools for the first time to figure out how to display their mural. I’m proud of the creativity, the perseverance, and the care each person whose participated has shown. And I’m touched by the hand written letters included in the crochet packages from out of staters, sharing their stories, and their thanks, and their dissent.
What are some things that are in the works for the different murals? What do you most hope happens with the project in 2024?
We’re hoping to launch a new website with all the states who've completed murals. There will be better communication and access for people interested in learning more about the murals and how to participate or help to display it. Hoping to continue supporting folks with uteruses to have access to the healthcare they may need through community craftivism.
Looking Forward to 2024
I am excited for the possibilities for my part in this project in 2024. It’s all in the very early stages but I am hoping to display the mural as much as possible throughout Northern California. Most of the displays will likely take place in San Francisco where I have the most resources (particularly since I don’t drive). However, it’s important for it also to reach smaller, more rural areas, so I’ll have my eye out.
I am also very interested in putting together awareness-raising events in collaboration with other artists to take place in the spaces where the mural is on display. Storytelling around the issues of women’s health rights, performance art pieces, curating related art, etc. I have put the feelers out for a few things and we’ll see.
Taking on this role, I see myself as a conduit for a project that is bigger than me. I intend to make space for it to move forward in mysterious ways so that it can do the work it’s meant to do in the world.
As mentioned above, the first place the mural will be on display in 2024 is at the Women Rising exhibit at The Drawing Room at 599 Valencia beginning on 2/24/24 and running for one month. I’m working on an artist talk and some special events TBA.
How You Can Help
If you are located in or have resources in San Francisco /Northern California and are interested in helping, reach out! Things that will be helpful:
Public spaces to hang the mural throughout the year.
Connections with people at galleries, businesses, event spaces that might wish to support.
Physical assistance installing and taking down the mural when it’s on display.
PR/social media/ admin assistance in spreading the word about the project.
Curators, artists, storytellers interested in creative collaboration around this project.
You tell me … what’s your skill and how would you like to help?
You can reach me at Kathryn.vercillo over on gmail with questions, thoughts, kindness.