Stitching People Together: The Art of Cross-Cultural Encounters in an Embroidery Workshop

This article discusses how to live with differences while maintaining in an international embroidery workshop Tromsø, Norway. It explores the role of art enabling interactions between strangers, showing individuals become part collectives and facilitate social change. collaboration artist researcher draws on data from arts-based participant observations qualitative interviews. The analysis shows practices, materials, expression embroideries create a space affording integrative encounters easing interaction which neither presupposes nor asks for similarities, or aims strong interpersonal relations. We find that difference is material through are made. embroidering owned by no one majorities minorities, where all possess but do not produce “otherness.” Participants remain different, yet connect transform, demonstrating possibilities impersonal cross-cultural encounters.