Kathryn Pannepacker

Kathryn Pannepacker (ACG '16, 15, LTA '11, WOO '04)  has been asked to present a weaving workshop and presentation at the 2018 National Organization for Arts in Health (NOAH) Conference in Austin, TX from October 8-10th. The theme of this year’s conference is "Reimagining the Future of Arts in Health".

She will model a 'sanctuary studio'/weaving workshop from her current work with people in active addiction in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Kathryn aims to demonstrate how creating a " 'sanctuary studio' in the arts in health care brings a critically vital ingredient of 'belonging, meaning and purpose' to individuals and communities impacted from core trauma leading to substance abuse and other disorders". Being at this conference to present as well as to attend other workshops will enable her to learn and make other professional art for social change connections.

Kathryn expanded on her 2015 Art and Change Grant project, The Healing Blanket Project– a collection of small hand-woven pieces created by herself, and community & family members, each representing a homicide that took place in Philadelphia in 2015. In honor of the 280 people killed by gun violence, Kathryn, along with her Change Partner Roz Pichardo of Operation Save Our City, held an event called The Memorial at the BKG Funeral Home in North Philadelphia. The Healing Blanket was draped over one casket and those in attendance were invited to write and attach R.I.P tags. The second casket alongside was filled with bullet casings. All throughout the funeral home were framed photos of loved ones killed by guns. The event was very somber and powerful, as if attending a viewing. A piece of yarn was tied on one's wrists and a blessing was spoken to each in attendance. The Memorial was a public outcry against gun violence and gave people an opportunity to express their grief as well as call for peace and healing throughout the city. It was a plea to put guns down and change gun control legislation. The event was covered by 3 news channels.

Kathryn’s Healing Blanket Project will use twenty small textiles to memorialize victims of gun violence in Philadelphia and represent the community impacted. Installed outside at locations/intersections of gun violence, each textile will feature an attached tag with R.I.P. and support information. A piece of the healing blanket will be mailed to the victim's family, along with support resources. Kathryn will also hold four outdoor pop-up workshops and participate in various vigils and rallies with Operation Save Our City. Kathryn’s goal is to comfort and aid communities in their healing journey toward a purpose-driven life for peace. 

Kathryn is a textile artist and painter creating visual art pieces and projects with the mission of “art-for-all” and “peace-for-all”. Whether she is working directly with individuals or groups, or creating projects for the larger community, her work stems from the common desire to celebrate diversity and to resource self-expression and empowerment.  Kathryn has worked with a large variety of communities—people with and without physical disabilities, middle class and poor, homeless and with home, in addiction and recovery, in prison and re-entry programs, seniors and young people. In 2010, with the support of the Mural Arts Program, Kathryn led weaving workshops at homeless shelters and public sites throughout Philadelphia and created a woven canvas for a mural entitled Finding Home. The project’s aim was to break down the issues and stigma around homelessness and bring people with and without a home together. Through working on the mural, the participants decided to continue weaving as Arts Street Textile Studio (ASTS), a studio, gallery, and boutique showcasing the works of individuals who identify as artists and artisans, many of whom are stigmatized because of being homeless or in transition. Kathryn's recent art-for-all textile work can be seen on chain-link fences on abandoned lots.

Intensive advanced study with weaving/design mentors Jean Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to explore integrating various techniques and materials in pictoral/gestural tapestry. Support for materials, documentation, and travel expenses.