‍The Quilt of Belonging is a collaborative work of art that recognizes Canada’s diversity, celebrates our common humanity and promotes harmony and compassion among people.‍ ‍ ‍

It was the vision of Esther Bryan to create a piece of art where everyone would be invited to participate, artist or not.  Lived experience taught her that all people have a need to be heard, to be seen and to belong.  In this textile mosaic, that spans 120 feet (36 meters), each person can experience a sense of belonging – there is “A Place for All”.  The 263 unique “blocks” record individual human history in textile, illustrating the beauty, complexity and sheer size of the human story.‍‍ ‍

Extensive research to identify Canada’s many cultural faces has been the foundation of this project.  At the turn of the Millenium, immigration records showed that there was at least one person from every country in the world living in Canada. And with assistance from Indigenous nation members, the Assembly of First Nations, Department of Indian Affairs and the Canadian Museum of History, listings were compiled of the First Peoples in Canada including Métis and Inuit nations.‍‍ ‍

Created in Williamstown, Ontario, the Quilt now lives at the TriSisters Art House in St. Jacobs, Ontario where it continues to tour and provide educational programming. It is the goal of the charity to establish a museum dedicated to the Quilt and its celebration of diversity and inclusion in Canada.‍ ‍

To learn more about The Quilt of Belonging, please visit quiltofbelonging.ca or contact us at info@quiltofbelonging.ca.

‍ If you would like to learn more about the Quilt of Belonging Fund, please contact WRCF at 519-725-1806 or info@wrcf.ca.