FemEdTech launched a collaborative project in 2019 to create a Quilt of Care and Justice to be displayed at the OER20 Conference in April 2020.
In response to the call for participation, OEG’s Executive Director, Paul Stacey created a square for the quilt titled, BIG HEART. The BIG HEART is so appropriate given our current circumstances of isolation, working from home, and social distancing. The BIG HEART is representative of the global connection and collaboration even during these uncertain times.
The main fabric that makes up the BIG HEART is cut from an organic cotton bag from a store, Maiwa, in Vancouver Canada, Paul’s hometown. In Cantonese and Mandarin, Maiwa is a word used to name the language through which art speaks. Maiwa: beautiful language. The fabric is organic cotton dyed in traditional block printing techniques. The rich, dark blue color and the way the flowers weave their way through it each with a small bloom of orange illumination, are like stars in an inky night. The fabric is double sided like a duvet cover; a cocoon where one could nestle and feel safe. Pinned to the centre of the fabric is a big red heart, velvety and trimmed with gold thread. “The work of FemEdTech requires a big heart and I give heartfelt thanks to all who are engaged in it. I hope the FemEdTech quilt inspires the hearts of others. Thank you for letting me be a part of it,” said Paul.
Contributions from others around the world will complete the finished quilt. Frances Bell gave a deeply moving talk about the creation of this quilt and shared a video about its creation at the OER20 conference. OEG gives warm congratulations to everyone involved in the creation of the quilt and to the organizers of OER20 conference for converting the event from in person to online so successfully in such a short period of time. We are awed and honored to be part of these wonderful examples of care in openness.