THE PROJECT

I CHOOSE, THEREFORE I AM PROJECT curated by Rachelle LeBlanc. 

A new generation of international professional and amateur textile artists was invited to participate in a permanent online public exhibition, catalog, and biennial show. Artists from Canada, the United States, France, England, Poland, Germany, Australia, Russia, Hungary, 

New Zealand, and Iran include Jo-Ann Morgan, Katherine Shehadeh, Sarah Divi, Andrea Finch, Rebecca Schwarzberg, Rachelle LeBlanc, Suzanna Scott, Maria Wegrzyniak-Szczepkowska, Jennifer LaMastra, Neroli Henderson, Patti Colen, Barbara Burns Harpswell, Lena Meszaros, Courtney Turner, Debbie McIntosh, Vicki Stone, Tracey Kinsella, Katy Drury Anderson, 

Analeise Jarvi-Beamer, Michelle Knappe, Marty Ornish, April DeConick, Molly Colegrove, 

Laura Kenny, Linda Rae Coughlin, Winnie van der Rijn, Sarah Rieser, Joanne Vena, Janice Turner, 

Victoria Rudolf, David Van Buskirk.

The I Choose, Therefore I Am Project is a peaceful protest and public art exhibition created by textile artist, curator, and activist Rachelle LeBlanc shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe vs. Wade in 2022. The project aims to explore textile art's subversive potential and gives artists working with textile-based techniques an opportunity to voice the female experience concerning women's rights through art. These rights include the right to choose for herself, to live free from violence, discrimination from skin color, reproductive rights, sexual rights, including the LGBTQ+ community, and exploitation. 

Textile art is a powerful form of discourse that transforms complex ideas and celebrates traditional skills while simultaneously giving importance to new innovative material processes. It is also a powerful tool for communication that helps bring difficult conversations forward through craftivism and its unique role in effecting social and environmental change. 

Where there is a choice, there is a voice to choose with complete liberty and freedom for oneself. It is all-encompassing, and the heartbeat of Amnesty International's Women's Rights are Human Rights. What does this mean to you? How is this expressed through art? The answer to these questions can be found in the artworks within.

 This project is open for public participation.