What is a storyrope™? (2 Hour Workshop)
A storyrope™ is a timeline of their life made with small, colorful, and tactile pieces of fabric that are tied onto a long narrow strip of material. Each piece of fabric represents, main events, impactful people, hardships, and God’s grace etc. This is an art project that is used as a tool to help one examine themselves, bring awareness, and celebrate God’s grace in their story. See “Why Art” page for more information.
This project is helpful with an individual or within a variety of groups including (but not limited to): leadership teams, bible study groups, and short-term mission teams.
Participants create a storyrope™ by choosing fabric of different colors, patterns, and textures to represent the events, people, and breakthrough moments. Trauma, violation, racism, misogyny and loss etc. are dark parts of one’s story and may be represented with dark fabric. Joyful, and grace-filled are bight parts of one’s story and may be represented with brighter fabrics and are chosen to be tied along the “rope.” The colors chosen have personal meaning.
After creating, take time to share with a safe person or group. Making art often helps reach straight to one’s soul, and things long hidden may surface and be brought to the light. This is the beginning of healing for many. One may weep and rejoice with other as one’s stories are told. It is healing to be heard and seen by others who show compassion and empathy. Then, take time to pray for one another speaking words of life, praising God for His grace, and bring comfort to the hard parts of one’s story.
Participants are encouraged to date their projects and journal about the process of creating this project, what they discovered and what each piece of fabric represents.
- variety of colors and patterns
- long narrow pieces of fabric: 2″ by 3′
- short pieces of fabric: 1″ by 12″
- ribbon: 10″
All materials are provided by The Creative Call. A materials fee is included in the workshop costs.
What can making a storyrope™ help to accomplish?
When making a storyrope™, we may remember our stories better, perhaps revealing both joys and sorrows, to share with others. Creator of the storyrope™, Marge Malwitz, has said, “It is a tactile timeline of one’s life or part of one’s life.” It is also a way of giving permission for many to share their stories. Making a work of art representing an individual, whether a portrait or a story rope, extends worth and value to that person. Marge invented the storyrope™ while working in Rwanda.
For more information on the history of the storyrope™, check out Marge’s Blog: