Can a Quilt Change how Congress Listens—

& How you Practice Democracy at Home?

If you’re exhausted by performative politics and digital outrage, this episode offers a deeply grounded alternative. Discover how everyday acts of creation and conversation can rebuild civic trust—and how women across America are using quilting to stitch together a more ethical and inclusive democracy, one square at a time.

• Learn how to transform local conflict into creative fuel for durable, democratic collaboration.
• Hear the inspiring story of how one woman’s quiet act of stitching sparked a national movement of peaceful persuasion.
• Get practical insights on reclaiming civic power in your community—without burning out or tuning out.

Notable Mentions

Here is a categorized, hyperlinked list of all people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in the transcript.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 People

Bill Cleveland ; Host of Art Is Change, founder of the Center for the Study of Art and Community, and lifelong activist/artist in cultural organizing.

Emma Petty Adams: Co-Executive Director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government; leads cross-partisan, grassroots advocacy focused on ethical government and peacebuilding.

Jessica Preece: Political science professor and MWEG member who initiated the “Quilting for the Constitution” project from Provo, Utah.

Mr. Dwyer: U.S. History teacher at Hayward High School who inspired Emma’s early civic development.

Harry C. Boyte: Democracy scholar and founder of Public Work, a strong advocate of citizenship as a democratic practice.

Chad Ford: Author of 7 Times 70, a book exploring conflict transformation through a spiritual lens.

Max Richter: Renowned composer whose album Voices is inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Eleanor Roosevelt: Chaired the drafting committee of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights following WWII.

Rep. Kathy Manning (note: possibly misidentified as “Fauci” in transcript) Democratic U.S. Representative from North Carolina who displayed a quilt in her office.

Rep. Blake Moore: Republican U.S. Representative from Utah who used a quilt from the campaign in his office.

📅 Events

Quilting for the Constitution: A national arts-advocacy campaign led by MWEG members and allies; 62 quilts with civic messages delivered to 56 congressional offices in D.C. in May 2023.

Freedom Quilting Bee: A 1960s Black-led cooperative in Alabama that used quilting to support civil rights and community economic development.

Organizations

Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG): A nonpartisan organization of women (mostly but not exclusively LDS) working for ethical, peaceful, and principled governance across the U.S.

Center for the Study of Art and Community: Founded by Bill Cleveland, supports the work of artists and cultural organizers in advancing democratic and creative community change.

Fox 13 News Utah: Regional news outlet that covered the D.C. quilt delivery in a televised segment.

United Nations: Drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the inspiration behind Max Richter’s musical work.

Home Depot: Surprisingly helpful co-sponsor: one organizer built a mobile quilt clothesline display with materials purchased locally during the campaign.

📚 Publications

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): Foundational U.N. document outlining global standards for human dignity and freedom; source text for Voices.

American Covenant by Yuval Levin: A book about the Constitution as not just a governing framework but a civic operating manual for American renewal.

7 Times 70 by Chad Ford: Explores the teachings of Jesus as a model for deep, lasting conflict transformation.

Voices by Max Richter (album): A musical composition that blends minimalist orchestration with recordings of people reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Kindertotenlieder by Gustav Mahler: “Songs on the Death of Children”—a deeply emotional orchestral song cycle that Emma Petty Adams referenced as a vehicle for understanding grief.

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Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.

Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.

Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.