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The Black Sheep Collective has announced the opening of “The Common Thread Project,” a powerful exhibit that amplifies the stories of sexual assault survivors to increase awareness and dialogue around this often unspoken topic. “The Common Thread Project,” a three-day exhibit highlighting survivors from the Chicagoland area sharing their experiences, opened Friday and concluded on Sunday, October 25, 2024, at the Chicago Art Department.
Founded in 2020, this exhibit marks Black Sheep Collective’s first in-person event. To celebrate the debut, Black Sheep Collective hosted a private reception for media, exhibit participants, organizations, and stakeholders in the sexual assault prevention space. Representatives from each group spoke candidly, underscoring their investment and the exhibit’s importance.
The project was made possible with support from the Field Foundation of Illinois, represented by executive director Daniel Ash, who expressed the foundation’s initiative to back organizations like Black Sheep Collective, saying, "We’re happy to support a project that tells stories that help to right these wrongs.” Marion Shuck, executive vice president of governmental relations and external affairs at Gift of Hope, shared that she was instantly drawn to the project. She saw its connection to her organization, noting that, in some cases, victims of sexual assault become organ donors. "Consequently, I was more than happy to provide financial support to get the project out into the world," she said.
Gabrielle Molden Caldwell, a trauma therapist with Resilience (formerly Rape Victim Advocates), who has provided crisis intervention for sexual assault survivors in Chicago since 1974, also played a key role in the project by helping to select participants willing to share their stories.
The Urban Growers Collective, a nonprofit founded in 2017 by Erika Allen and Laurell Sims, builds urban farms and gardens and provides fresh food, primarily in underserved areas on Chicago’s West and South Sides. The organization also supported the project, contributing to its realization.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is a quilt—a patchwork piece that interweaves the stories of Black Sheep’s sexual assault survivors, connecting them through a “common thread.”
The Exhibit
The project uses the art of portraiture and the rich tradition of quilting to give voice not only to the subjects featured but also to the millions of survivors of sexual violence globally who have been silenced. Through the photo series, survivors stand together, reclaiming their power and discarding the shame too often imposed on victims.
Nigerian-born artist and School of the Art Institute of Chicago alum Mesoma Onyeagba created the quilt. The piece was designed and constructed using clothing survivors wore during their ordeals, transforming them into a beautiful narrative of confrontation, resilience, and the ultimate empowerment of survival.
The photo series was composed by Montreal-based photographer and filmmaker James Perry, while the accompanying documentary was directed by Chicago native Danielle DeGrasse-Alston.
The Mission, The Work!
Stephanie Tinsley, writer, filmmaker, and founder and executive director of the Black Sheep nonprofit arts and humanities foundation, addressed the audience, explaining that the organization seeks to raise awareness of the severe impact sexual violence has on society. Through this art series, Black Sheep Collective provides survivors of all backgrounds an opportunity to build community in the aftermath of such isolating events.
Black Sheep Collective, a private arts foundation, aims to make creative and educational resources accessible to young artists. By uplifting storytelling and artmaking, Black Sheep Collective strives to influence social change, uniting artists from diverse media to collaborate on projects addressing significant social issues. The Common Thread Project is no exception.
Stephanie’s own experience as a survivor of sexual violence inspired her to launch The Common Thread Project, recognizing the importance of transforming pain into strength. The project embodies Black Sheep Collective’s mission by uniting artists and survivors to change the conversation around sexual violence.
For more information, please visit The Black Sheep Collective’s website: freetheblacksheep.com