Holly Hughes:  
Hi, my name is Holly Hughes, and I am the Gaudin-Spaulding Senior Curator for the Collection here at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. I organized this exhibition called That Which Binds Us around the theme of connection and shared experience to highlight works of art from the museum's collection in which artists employ fabric, weaving, embroidery and other adjacent materials. Throughout this space, you will find meticulously handmade objects that were made with methods you might be familiar with. In other works, you might discover the extraordinary ways artists use found fabrics to create something altogether new. And while the techniques and ideas behind each work of art may vary, each of these artists came to use these types of materials because they feel emotionally connected to them. In many cases, they reflect creative knowledge and skillsets that have been passed down through generations, not only fostering a space for connection or shared histories and the cultural heritage that they come from, but one for healing and a catalyst for social change.  
 

To help us look at these works of art, we have invited some community colleagues and artisans who work in the textile arts. To follow you will hear a brief introduction from Dawne Hoeg, who is the founder and executive director of Stitch Buffalo, a grassroots organization committed to building community through creativity.