About Welcome Blanket
Welcome Blanket is an art initiative started by Los Angeles-based artist and Brown University graduate Jayna Zweiman. In 2017, Zweiman originally conceived of Welcome Blanket as a way to reimagine the proposed border wall with Mexico as 2,000 miles of yarn to be knit into blankets to give to people as a warm welcome to our nation. These blankets, and the corresponding stories of their makers, were then exhibited in order to create spaces in which to talk about immigration issues. Afterward, these Welcome Blankets were gifted to refugees. Since 2017, the project has led to numerous exhibitions across the county.
The Museum of Work & Culture, inspired by the RIHS’s 2024 annual theme Making History, which celebrates creativity, innovation, invention, and craft in Rhode Island, is currently hosting its own Welcome Blanket Exhibit now on view in the changing gallery until November 30th, 2024.
Following the exhibit, all blankets and notes will be gifted to Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island to welcome new refugees as they enter the United States.
An online gallery of the blankets received by the Museum of Work and Culture can be found here.
How to Participate
At this time, the Museum is no longer accepting Welcome Blankets for this exhibit. Please visit welcomeblanket.org to find another location where your blanket can be gifted.
Questions related to donating blankets can be directed to mowc@rihs.org or 401-769-9675.
Thank You to our Partners
