Passing down stories and family history from generation to generation is an age-old tradition in Aboriginal culture. The Stitching Memories workshops incorporate quilting as an artistic medium to carry on this cultural tradition.

Funded by the Department of Environment Water Heritage and the Arts, workshops ran over 12 weeks in eight communities in the Mid North Coast during 2009/10. Participants came together and learnt how to sew and quilt by a professional artist and transferred their family histories onto fabric.

An exhibition, featuring the work of over 30 artists, was held in November 2009 at the International Art and Health Conference in Port Macquarie.

“Hand stitching is such a wonderful medium for telling stories about family because you can sit and stitch anywhere and yarn about the past.” Alison Page

With only 9% of Aboriginal people in the Mid North Coast over 55, opportunities like this to share history is essential for cultural sustainability.