Standing in NC’s Learning Commons on March 20 for the unveiling of her community art project, local Jamaican-Canadian artist Nadine Williams recalled her very first visit to NC to explore bringing her quilt project to campus.
“You are this welcoming College,” said Williams.
The quilt installation, The Fabric of our Being – proudly on display in the Library and Learning Commons at the Welland Campus – is a first for Williams at a Canadian college.
President Sean Kennedy commended Williams and those at NC who continue to advance the work of the EDI Blueprint.
“Projects like these are about community and belonging,” said President Kennedy. “Nurturing the sense of belonging for our students, employees and visitors has never been more important. This quilt is a centerpiece that demonstrates our continued commitment to being the most welcoming college we can possibly be.”
In January, ahead of Black History Month, Williams led a workshop with Black students and employees from the College to create the quilt to celebrate and bring awareness to the International Decade for People of African Descent, a United Nations initiative.
“It is a reflection of our what our NC community told us what they wanted to see at the College,” said Samah Sabra, Director of EDI and Accessibility. “During consultations for Project Refresh and the EDI Blueprint, students made it very clear that they wanted to walk around campus and see themselves reflected, and have increased representation in campus spaces and art.”
NC student and Vice-President of the Black Students Association, Magdalene John, introduced Williams and spoke of her own experiences as an International student from Kenya.
Williams, a highly acclaimed poet, author, arts educator and cultural ambassador, has published poetry, children’s books, and literature for Black History Month, and speaks regularly across the country.
Williams opened her remarks with song and poetry, leading the signing of the O Canada, followed by Lift Every Voice and Sing, the Black national anthem.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saying ‘yes’ and the diligence that you exhibited… it’s been amazing,” said Williams, acknowledging her collective of seamstresses who supported sewing the quilt.
NC’s Black community composed the quilt from student and employee artwork centered around a set of criteria:
- An amazing Black Canadian;
- Mother tongue;
- Recognition, development and justice;
- The poem “The Fabric of Our Being;”
- A border made of fabric representing various regions of Africa.
“Speaking from my experience and experiences shared by fellow members of the Black Students Association, coming to NC from communities and countries that are majorly Black and landing in a college that not only welcomes you as a Black student, as an African student, as an international student, but also a college that gives you all the support you need to succeed is refreshing,” said John.
For President Kennedy, the quilt – and the International Decade for People of African Descent – brought back fond childhood memories from South Africa where he lived while his father taught as a university professor.
“The influence of Africa as a continent across the globe is truly remarkable.”
The project is a collaboration between Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Planning, Capital Projects and Sustainability, and the Libraries and Learning Commons.
