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Thursday April 17 @ 7:30THE KNITTING PILGRIM
Presented by Venables Theatre
Created by actor, writer and knitter Kirk Dunn, Stitched Glass is a triptych of large hand-knitted panels, designed in the style of stained-glass windows, which looks at the commonalities and conflicts amongst the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The textile masterwork was supported by a Chalmers Foundation grant through the Ontario Arts Council in 2003, and took Kirk an incredible 15 years to complete. There is no other knitting project like it in the world.
Kirk and seasoned writer Claire Ross Dunn co-wrote The Knitting Pilgrim, which uses the Stitched Glass panels – collectively over 90 pounds of knitting – as its set. The play recounts Kirk’s artistic and spiritual journey of hand-knitting the project, and his hope to contribute to the vital conversation about xenophobia, Antisemitism and Islamophobia, dealing with internal/external strife, and fear of the other.
“The hope has always been to create conversation,” says Kirk, who sought out Christian, Muslim and Jewish consultants to help him research and design the artwork and, more personally, to learn about the feelings and experiences of others. “A conversation between all people—believers and non-believers—who find themselves in conflict. How can we better understand and empathize with each other? Everyone has a unique background, point of view, and experience, and at the same time, many experiences are universal. Focusing on what knits us together, rather than what pulls us apart, is a place to start.”
Knitting is encouraged during the show if audience members are so inclined—Kirk has yarn and needles to give out onstage. People can also Bring Their Own Knitting (#BYOK). Kirk is using the audience’s knitting to assemble a giant Moebius Strip, a curiously paradoxical object that has significance in the play.
TICKETS: Adults $35, Under 25 $20
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Venables Theatre, 6100 Gala Street,Oliver, British Columbia, Canada
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