About Us
Our Mission
Patchwork promotes storytelling as a vibrant, contemporary art form, as well as a folk tradition, a way of celebrating life, and a tool for personal and social transformation.
Our Vision
Patchwork's vision is to enable storytellers a forum to make complex ideas plain and meaningful through the art of storytelling, to highlight that similarities outweigh differences among people and cultures, and to forge paths to informed and humane decision-making.
Our Values
Authenticity
Patchwork values the authentic voice and experience of the teller and the sharer.
Compassion
Patchwork values compassion as an integral component for the understanding, empathy, and transformation of self and society.
Creativity
Patchwork values the creativity of its members and the community, as well as the multiple interpretations and expressions of story to convey complex ideas.
Respect
Patchwork respects diverse people and cultures and welcomes their stories as a means to empathy, understanding, and action.
Social Connection
Patchwork holds story sharing as a necessary human activity and art form that serves to connect and fortify souls.
Growth/Wisdom
Patchwork recognizes that reflection with a focus to discern stories of the past, whether our own or those shared by others, prepares us for the stories of our future.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Patchwork values the roles, lives, and contributions of our members, supporters, and the community-at-large whom we seek to serve.
Patchwork strives to maintain a diverse and respectful community environment where everyone feels included and free from harassment and discrimination. Indeed, such understanding is at the heart of Patchwork's mission and vision.
Patchwork members and affiliates may be seen as representing Patchwork, and Patchwork will investigate any reports of impropriety that undermine our core values and will take action to prevent further harm.
Our History
Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization in 1984 in response to the decline of storytelling in the oral tradition due, in part, to growing trends in multimedia and technology.
But there is so much more to the story, and we're working to discover Patchwork's roots. If you were there in the 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's or even more recently and would like to share your story as it weaves in and out with Patchwork's, please contact us.
In the meantime, Patchwork remains dedicated to the survival of the art form and provides opportunities for training, performance, and education, along with encouragement and an open forum for storytellers and audiences to connect.
Patchwork is member supported.
Land Acknowledgement
As a step toward honoring the truth and achieving healing and reconciliation, our organization commits to open all public events and gatherings with a statement acknowledging the traditional Native lands on which we stand. Such statements become truly meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and sustained commitment. We therefore commit to move beyond words into programs and actions that fully embody a commitment to Indigenous rights and cultural equity.
Our Plea and Thanks
Patchwork recognizes the dedication of its members to produce and make available high quality storytelling programs and instruction for all people, and for its diligence in valuing and promoting its artists.
Land Acknowledgement
As a step toward honoring the truth and achieving healing and reconciliation, our organization commits to open all public events and gatherings with a statement acknowledging the traditional Native lands on which we stand. Such statements become truly meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and sustained commitment. We therefore commit to move beyond words into programs and actions that fully embody a commitment to Indigenous rights and cultural equity.
Patchwork earned the Guildstar Platinum Seal of Transparency
Officers
Denise McCormack
Denise McCormack
Denise McCormack
President of Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild
Executive Director
Webmaster
Communications & Marketing
Ingrid Bohn
Denise McCormack
Denise McCormack
Treasurer of Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild