Memory Collectors Storytelling Project (MCSP): Fighting Alzheimer’s with Art is a three-year artist led initiative that focuses predominately on the often-untold stories of older BIPOC women, living in Wisconsin. Participants gather monthly at the Creator’s Cottage (a safe, welcoming, culturally competent BIPOC lead studio arts space in south Madison) in order to build community while sharing memories surrounding family, faith, culture, and resistance. Centering quilt-making and storytelling as an intervention, the MCSP targets stress reduction and wholistic wellbeing through social connection and community support. Using quilt-making, storytelling, and health conscious education they aim to work against the undeniable health disparities that exist for women of color around brain health and aging.

The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ARDC) has identified Alzheimer’s disease to be a public health crisis for African Americans. Disparities in vascular health and hypertension are likely contributors to the fact that African Americans currently outpace white Americans with Alzheimer’s disease at a staggering rate of 100%. Studies have shown that participation in creative arts improves mental and emotional health, reduces stress, and improves cognition thus preventing mental decline.

Media: Mixed fabric scraps, cotton batting, machine pieced and quilted
Completed: August 2024