A Taste of Celebration: Story Tapestries Commemorates 10 Years of Serving Community

The Virtual Event will feature local celebrity chef Jonathan Bardzik, notable community figures including Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass, and performances from national and local artists including recent America’s Got Talent competitor Kelvin Dukes, as well as the debut of a new work by the organization’s founder and Executive Director, Arianna Ross. Noted Philanthropist and former First Lady of Montgomery County, Maryland, Catherine Leggett, will serve as Honorary Chair of the event.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Story Tapestries pivoted with three goals in mind. 1) raise funds to support providing art supplies to youth from low-income households, 2) provide free virtual art programs (subsidized by donations and sponsorships) to all youth and community members to support their mental and social-emotional health, and 3) continue to champion racial equity work through their program offerings including the Amplify US! initiative

Recently, Aimee Belt, a Special Education Teacher, commented on the organization’s work with students, “I can honestly say the students surprised themselves with the amount of writing they were able to accomplish…I think the Story Tapestries residency was a great investment in these students. I know they will never forget this experience.”

Story Tapestries is a nonprofit organization that serves communities through:

1) professional performances in storytelling, theater, dance, spoken word, and other art forms in a variety of public

2) workshops and in-depth training programs to build students of all ages’ ability to use the performing, visual, and literary arts to develop their voices, share their stories, and increase their literacy, social-emotional, and STEAM skills.

3) the Amplify US! Initiative, in which as a leader they help foster discussions around issues of equity in marginalized communities.

Story Tapestries’ goal is for every individual to have access to professional performing and visual arts as a source of inspiration as well as a tool for education, communication, and accessibility.

In just 10 years, they have reached over 840,000 individuals by delivering programs in more than 1,200 venues.