These beaded squares were created for the 9/11 Bead Quilt Project —a global, collaborative work of memorial art.
This block of squares by Alaskan artists can be found on the first panel of the DC quilt (click here to view all of the panels created for this project). The image includes the contributors’ names, and any statements they provided are included below.
Cindy Aguiar, Alaska: Like most people, I’ll never forget the details of where I was on the morning of 9/11. I just wanted to be able to give something to everyone in memory of hope, peace and understanding. This was my first piece of embroidered beadwork, and the creation of it was very emotional and reflective for me.
Jonisue Minor, Alaska: When I learned of the tragedy I thought of all the soul and the butterflies represent the freeing of American patriotism.
Candi Dixon, Alaska: They are heroes too! My daughter and I both love dogs. We are touched by how the canine rescue teams were affected by not finding survivors – they too felt the pain of losing someone. My daughter Keetra Dixson designed the square and I beaded our contribution.
Lyn Jorgenson, Alaska: As an Australian, currently living in Alaska, I can’t help but reflect on my being part of this vast and beautiful universe. It is a membership worthy of pride, yet it demands a simple humility. We must support one another, building bridges not destroying them, listening to the smallest voice, not just following the loudest. Stars, stripes, shields, constellations, colors–all symbols of who and what we are, cannot be seen as threats or provocations, but rather as signs of peace and hope and understanding: parts of the whole. We have a responsibility to one another while we live our brief but significant lives to promote universal understanding, where race, religion or color presents no barrier. No one should live in fear, as our planet in this universe deserves our love and not our hate. We all need to keep shining for each other.
Techniques include bead embroidery and flat peyote stitch.