We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shannon Downey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shannon below.
Shannon, appreciate you joining us today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
I have so many stories of people’s kindness but the most overwhelming happened in the early days of the pandemic. I had been planning a tour for over a year. I gave up my full-time job to commit to doing my work as an art activist full-time. I gave up my apartment, sold everything I owned, bought an RV, and planned to spend a year touring the country. I had over 100 events booked. Then, covid hit. All of my events were canceled. I had no idea what I was going to do. Additionally, most of the RV parks in the country had closed due to the pandemic. I didn’t even have a place to park my new home. I was terrified. This could be the end of me financially. Once I stopped crying, I got to work looking for a pivot. I went to my digital community and asked if folks had a relatively flat driveway and an outdoor plug if they might host me for a few nights. Within days, over 3,000 people had signed up via my google doc! Every state in the country was covered. I ended up spending two years on the road driveway hopping from one amazing person to the next. Everyone was so incredibly generous. I transitioned all of my workshops to Zoom and set them up as pay-what-you-can. People were so giving. The kindness that everyone bestowed on me was life changing and life affirming.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am an artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and general instigator. I move people from passive consumers of art into engaged creators. I leverage craft-based art forms to bring people together and offer them opportunities to transition from makers to change makers. My work is about telling the truth and confronting harsh realities while simultaneously inspiring radical hope and a vision for what is possible. My first book, Let’s Move the Needle, an activism handbook for artists, crafters, creatives, and makers who want to build community and make change, can be found anywhere books are sold.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My vision is a world in which everyone is an activist for justice. To work towards that vision, my mission is to use artistic mediums to build community and support community members in connecting their values to their actions. I support their progress by providing endless opportunities for them to grow as critical thinkers and change makers.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I have been able to build the life of my dreams. It was not/is not easy in late stage capitalism but I am committed to this work and to having a positive impact in this world. I love the freedom I have. I make my own schedule, travel, meet tens of thousands of people every year, and get to introduce people to embroidery and activism simultaneously. I see the world differently. I get to invent my future. I feel like I contribute to society everyday. I have purpose and meaning. I get to share my joy with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BadassCrossStitch.com
- Instagram: @BadassCrossStitch
- Linkedin: /ShannonDowney2
