In this special episode of SEAMSIDE, you'll hear reflections from a variety of community members who found connection, creative renewal, and unexpected insights while stitching side by side at our HUDDLE retreat. Working with textiles alongside others unlocks family stories and personal histories – there's something almost magical about the way fabric becomes a bridge across time and relationships.

WANT TO JOIN US FOR THE NEXT HUDDLE?

Learn more about our upcoming retreat here. And you can always email me at zak@zakfoster.com for more information.

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Textile artist Heidi Parkes reflects on her transformative 13-month residency at Milwaukee's historic Pfister Hotel, discussing how the experience deepened her artistic practice, expanded her community connections, and prepared her for her upcoming mid-career retrospective exhibition.

What happens when an artist's private practice meets the public eye for an entire year? Fresh from completing her prestigious residency at Milwaukee's historic Pfister Hotel, Heidi Parkes returns to SEAMSIDE to unpack what it was like to work in full public view for thirteen months. From unexpected revelations about her own work to the delicate dance of public engagement, Heidi shares how this residency in a busy hotel studio reshaped both her work and her perspective.

In this SEAMSIDE conversation, Heidi and I explore:
① how public interaction informs the work we make
② how to ask meaningful questions when you step into a gallery
③ why she’s so glad to be back home

You can hear Part 1 of our conversation here.

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→ Get your free trial to the QUILTY NOOK
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I felt an immediate resonance when Demetri’s work first popped up on my screen. Here were these meticulous, vibrant prints of vintage photographs of ancestors, bedazzled in sequins and beads and quartz crystals. So we struck up a chat and over the last few months have really nurtured a budding friendship. It was over the course of my conversations with Demetri that I knew it was the right time to bring SEAMSIDE back.

In this SEAMSIDE conversation, Demetri and I explore:
① how our identities can shift and expand over time
② why we need power objects like boxing gloves now more than ever
③ why he covers the eyes of his ancestors in his most recent work

WHY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?

In this conversation, Braxton reveals how personal identity shapes artistic practice, discussing his evolution from painting to creating intricate beaded boxing gloves and textile works that honor ancestors. His work navigates complex histories while seeking paths toward healing and understanding, offering valuable insights into how artists can address difficult histories while maintaining hope for the future.

REFLECTION PROMPT

How do you navigate complex or difficult aspects of your family's history while maintaining connection to your past, your upbringing, and your ancestors?

OTHER LINKS

→ Get your copy of THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR NEXT QUILT
→ Get your free trial to the QUILTY NOOK
→ See images and more at the EPISODE WEBSITE
→ Follow Zak on INSTAGRAM