Sewing Community

Arts & Culture Podcasts

A podcast where quilters, tailors, fashion designers, garment industry workers, and fabric/textile artists from Westchester, NY share personal stories and family histories related to sewing and fabric. ArtsWestchester, the officially designated arts council for Westchester County, is working with Amanda Browder, a Brooklyn-based fabric artist, to transform a 9-story building in downtown White Plains into a cascading colorful, large-scale fabric installation called METROPOLIS SUNRISE. All of the stories heard in this podcast are from individuals involved in the building of this monumental work of public art. While this project is currently on hold because of COVID-19, our hope is that these stories, will in some small way, sustain and deepen the social fabric of community. Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Location:

United States

Genres:

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Description:

A podcast where quilters, tailors, fashion designers, garment industry workers, and fabric/textile artists from Westchester, NY share personal stories and family histories related to sewing and fabric. ArtsWestchester, the officially designated arts council for Westchester County, is working with Amanda Browder, a Brooklyn-based fabric artist, to transform a 9-story building in downtown White Plains into a cascading colorful, large-scale fabric installation called METROPOLIS SUNRISE. All of the stories heard in this podcast are from individuals involved in the building of this monumental work of public art. While this project is currently on hold because of COVID-19, our hope is that these stories, will in some small way, sustain and deepen the social fabric of community. Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Language:

English

Website:

https://www.artswestchester.org/

Episodes

The Viking Sewing Gallery

12/15/2020

This episode features Christiana Sunshine and Talia Martineau, former and current managers of Scarsdale's Viking Sewing Gallery, as well as Metropolis Sunrise volunteer and clay artist, Myrna Goodman. The interview was recorded at the Viking Sewing Gallery in JOANN Fabrics Scarsdale store on February 1, 2020. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:11:16

Alayne Fitzpatrick & Karen Davern

12/11/2020

This weeks episode features mother and daughter, Alayne Fitzptrick and Karen Davern. During our interview, they discuss their love of fashion, their family’s sewing history, the Hudson Valley fabric stores history, and mask making during the pandemic. This interview was conducted via ZOOM on Oct. 8, 2020. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:27:56

Becky Sussman

12/2/2020

This week's episode features Rebecca Sussman, Director of Parent Education at Neighbor’s Link - an organization in Yonkers, NY whose mission is to strengthen community through the healthy integration of immigrants. In her free time, Becky collects fabrics from her travels to sew recreationally for her family. She tells us about her passion sewing projects from halloween costumes for her children, to Hawaiian shirts for her husband, her grandma’s beautiful sewing box and how she gets to know a new city through its fabric stores. This interview was conducted via Zoom on 2nd October, 2020. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:27:41

Haifa Bint-Kadi

11/19/2020

In this week's episode guest host Asavari Sharma speaks with Yonkers resident Haifa Bint Kadi, a Palestinian-American public mosaic artist and educator. Their conversation explores the power of embroidery for Palestinian women, the connection between textiles, labor and sustainability, and Haifa's love of repetition in art. This interview was recorded over ZOOM on September 30, 2020. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:33:20

Carmen Galiano, Fashion Designer

11/13/2020

In this week's Sewing Community episode, guest-host Asavari Sharma speaks with New York fashion designer and educator Carmen Galiano. This interview was recorded over ZOOM on October 8, 2020. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:35:37

Nydia Novoa Sancho, Marylou Santoro & Arlene Brill

11/4/2020

This week's episode features stories about family fabric arts traditions, sewing for charity, and the garment design industry with Nydia Novoa Sancho, Marylou Santoro, and Arlene Brill. Interviews with Ms. Sancho and Ms. Brill were recorded at the Pelham Art Center on Feb 29th. The interview with Marylou Santoro was recorded at Kennedy Catholic High School on Feb. 23th with the Northern Star Quilters Guild. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:13:41

Rona Spar and Kim McCormack

10/28/2020

This week's episode features stories from Mt. Kisco quilter Rona Spar and Katonah-based fabric artist, collector, and educator Kim McCormack. The interview with Rona Spar was recorded at ArtsWestchester on Jan 5th, 2020 while the interview with Kim McCormack was recorded at her home residence on Feb. 3rd, 2020. Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:10:26

Chris Rodriguez, Deslyn Downes-Dyer & Marianne Corbino

10/22/2020

This week's episode features interviews with Port Chester resident Chris Rodriguez, Croton-on-Hudson resident Deslyn Downes-Dyer, and White Plains resident Marianne Corbino as they reflect on the power and meaning of fabric in their families. Interviews were recorded at the Bennett Conservatory of Music in Croton-On-Hudson and the Greenburgh Public Library in Elmsford, NY. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:14:21

The Arc Westchester, NY

8/19/2020

This week's episode features several interviews conducted at the Arc Westchester, the largest agency in Westchester County supporting children, teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families. Special guests include Nancy Patota, Executive Director of the Arc Westchester Foundation, Teresa Lombardi, Yulia Daniels, Cynthia Ferguson and Maria Robinson. All interviews were recorded on January 30-31 at the Arc Westchester in Hawthorne, New York. Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:14:05

Peggy Robinson, Nandita Sinha & Katherine Creag Gafner

8/12/2020

This episode featuring sewing stories from White Plains resident and upholsterer Peggy Robinson, Pelham resident Nandita Sinha, and WNBC TV News Journalist Katherine Creag Gafner. The interview with Peg Robinson was recorded in Hawthorne, NY at the India Center of Westchester on February 8, 2020. The interview with Nandita Sinha was recorded on February 29th at the Pelham Arts Center in Pelham, NY. The interview with Katherine Creag Gafner was recorded on March 6, 2020 at ArtsWestchester in White Plains, NY. Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:10:10

Valerie Miller Villafane & Mary Anne Ciccotelli

8/5/2020

Valerie Miller Villafane and Mary Anne Ciccotelli discuss the power of fabric and quilts as they are passed from one generation to the next. The interview with Valerie Miller Villafane was recorded on January 12, 2020 at the ArtsWestchester building in White Plains, NY. The interview with Mary Anne Ciccotelli was recorded on February 29th at the Pelham Arts Center in Pelham, NY. Podcast audio with images at: https://youtu.be/ihp-yoEE6uA Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:10:04

Evelyn and Larry Eidelberg

7/29/2020

White Plains residents and married couple Evelyn and Larry Eidelberg share personal stories of doll making, sewing machine collecting and of NYC's fabric and garment design industry. For podcast audio with images go to ArtsW's YouTube Channel Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:11:27

Gerri Napolitano and Kristin McGuinness

7/22/2020

This week’s episode features stories about Italian-Americans in the garment factories of Westchester. Gerri Napolitano discusses her family’s connection to two sweatshops in White Plains, while Kristin McGuinness shares memories and stories of her grandparents’ factory in Mt. Vernon. Both interviews were recorded at the City Center in White Plains on February 12, 2020. For podcast audio with images go to ArtsW's YouTube Channel Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:09:43

Diana Loja and the Loza Family

7/15/2020

Diana Loja, Hispanic Community Liaison for the Village of Sleepy Hollow, as well three members of the Loza family, a father, brother and daughter, discuss their personal and family connections to sewing and tailoring in Ecuador. The interview with Ms. Loja was recorded on February 22nd at the Galgano Senior Center in Sleepy Hollow, NY. The interview with the Loza family was recorded on January 5th, 2020 at ArtsWestchester in White Plains, NY. For podcast audio with images go to ArtsW's YouTube Channel Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:08:47

Mitchell Wasserberg, Sewing Machine Repairman

7/8/2020

In this week's episode, life-long New Yorker and go-to Westchester sewing machine repairman, Mitch Wasserberg, shares stories about growing up in the family trimmings and fabric business and discusses how got his start in with sewing machines. This interview was recorded on February 13th, 2020 in Hartsdale, NY. For podcast audio with images go to ArtsW's YouTube Channel Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:09:48

Fatiha Makloufi and Regina Farrell-Fagan

7/1/2020

White Plains resident Fatiha Makloufi discusses her inspiration for starting a clothing design business in New York City as well as her connection to a long lineage of independent seamstresses in Algeria, her place of origin. This interview was recorded on February 10th, 2020 at ArtsWestchester in White Plains, NY. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Regina Farrell-Fagan reflects on her grandmother's rag rugs, her passion for embroidery, and and the history of lace in Irish and Irish-American communities. This interview was recorded on February 20th, 2020, at the Clay Arts Center in Port Chester, NY. For podcast audio with images go to ArtsW's YouTube Channel Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:10:03

Kenneth G. Wray

6/24/2020

Ken Wray, Mayor of the Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY, reflects on his first job out of college working with the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union and discusses the importance of public art to local community. This interview was recored on February 22, 2020 at the Galgano Senior Center in the Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY. For podcast audio with images visit ArtsW's YouTube Channel Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:10:26

Amanda Browder

6/17/2020

Fabric sculpture artist Amanda Browder discusses 'Metropolis Sunrise,' her artistic and community process in creating public art, and her introduction to sewing and fabrics growing up in Missoula, Montana. This interview was recorded on April 22, 2020 in New York City. For podcast audio with images visit ArtsW's YouTube Channel Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:33:17

Barbara Glab

6/10/2020

In our first episode, Polish-American fabric artist Barbara Glab discusses her love of quilting. Barbara lives in Hartsdale, NY and is an active member of Northern Star Quilters' Guild and Village Squares Quilters. This interview was recorded on February 16, 2020 at the Greenburgh Public Library in Elmsford, NY. For examples of Barbara's quilts, visit ArtsW's YouTube Channel Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Sewing Community is part of ArtsWestchester's Folk Arts Program, made possible in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Support the Show.

Duration:00:08:05