We Are Here: A Collective Whole

This collaborative tapestry was created by the Artshare Community — artists with special needs and abilities working alongside their support workers and teaching artists Mitchel Coffman and Flavia Bertorello.

Rooted in social practice principles, the project emphasizes creative process, personal storytelling, and shared experiences. Each square functions simultaneously as an individual self-portrait and as part of an evolving community dialogue, blending bold visual expression with personal daily experiences. The resulting work celebrates both the unique contributions of each participant and the collective power of their combined voices.

Developed across Artshare's Brooklyn and Queens community sites, the project weaves together personal narratives into a unified installation. Each panel demonstrates distinctive artistic approaches through varied color palettes, textures, and compositions that express individuals' perspectives and identities. Drawing inspiration from Faith Ringgold's narrative quilt traditions and the vibrant aesthetics of Pop Art, the collective quilt represents community building, demonstrating how individual creations combine to form a greater whole.

- Flavia Bertorello, 2025