A Radical Thread, 2025
Documentary 71 minutes
Project Creator and Executive Producer
When I met Marsha Stone in 2016, I knew I wanted to make a film about the San Juan Ridge community textile project that she envisioned and led in making for seventeen years. Twelve embroidered tapestries tell the stories of this back-to-the-land community over fifty years. Through a circuitous route, I had come to meet this “Ridge” community first-hand, as an old friend Annie Greensfelder from Vermont had grown up there in the 1970's. Over time I got to know the other amazing women who helped bring this epic project to fruition including Mary Moore and Jennifer Crosby. I also spent time with many of the stitchers including William Crosby, Jane Hill Price, Judy Nielsen and Masa Uehara. On several occasions, I added my stitching and instantly can pick out my snippets on the River, Homesteads, and Artisans tapestries. In 2019 I invited colleague Jeanne Finley to collaborate in making the film. We worked together for three years and created a 60 minute edit. The film was released in 2025 called A Radical Thread . Currently I am making a short film that features conversations with Marsha, Mary and Jennifer and many of the stitchers over the years about their project, centering the communal making process, dynamic storytelling and skillful rendering of the twelve tapestries. More here.
More information about the San Juan Ridge Tapestry Project here.