**6/10 WORKSHOP WILL BE RESCHEDULED. DATE FORTHCOMING**

Mending is a group workshop offered by artist Michelle Hartney for parents of transgender children. Parents are invited to bring their child’s baby clothes and Hartney will help each participant alter the clothing to reflect their child’s gender identity.

Beginning as an act of love for her youngest child who is transgender, Hartney started altering their baby clothes. The project soon became a collaboration with the artist’s child sharing how they would like their baby clothes to look. Working on the project together was healing and gave the artist an opportunity to honor her child and let them know they are seen and loved for being authentic to themselves.

All supplies for this workshop will be provided; you only need to bring the garments you wish to alter. No prior art/sewing experience is required; there are several options to alter clothing that do not involve sewing. This workshop will provide a safe space for parents to talk about the specific challenges involved with parenting transgender children during the current political environment in the United States.

The workshop is limited to 20 participants with a focus on parents of Transgender children.
Participants: bring garments you wish to alter. No prior art/sewing experience required.
Materials provided: needle, thread, fabric glue, appliqué, iron on patches, stitch witchery, beads, t-shirt transfer, ribbons, trim.

RSVP Required: Email Juli Lowe [jlowe@21cchicago.com] to register, space is very limited. **EMAIL JULI TO RECEIVE ADVANCE NOTICE ABOUT UPCOMING DATE**

About the artist
Michelle Hartney is a Chicago based interdisciplinary artist who works with fiber, installation, sculpture, performance, and the internet. Her practice focuses on women’s rights, maternal healthcare issues, and misogyny in art institutions. Hartney’s interest in using art to address social issues began during her graduate studies in art therapy at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she was an Albert Schweitzer Fellow.

In 2016 Hartney founded the Women’s Health Collective, an art collective dedicated to utilizing creative approaches to raise awareness about women’s health issues by linking artists, writers, musicians, and activists to work collaboratively on socially engaged projects.