Wyoming Arts Council

Works of Wyoming offers hand-crafted Hilde Project items

Featured News | March 17, 2014

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This info comes from the Works of Wyoming March newsletter:

The Hilde project provides a “shopping for a cause” experience. Created by women incarcerated at the Women’s Center in Lusk, the hats, scarves, and other accessories are beautifully crafted and fun to wear. Inspired by the teachings and life of twelfth century German nun, Hildegard von Bingen, the Hilde Project provides a creative outlet for women to explore their own ingenuity with products that combine function and art. This project was envisioned by Rosemary Bratton during a pilgrimage to Hildegard’s homeland in Germany. Like Hildegard, who was a cloistered nun for most of her life, these women can aspire to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives while incarcerated and after returning to their communities. The sale of these products will support services at the Women’s Center and re-entry opportunities. Hilde Products are for sale at Works of Wyoming, 211 South First Street, Laramie.

This project is still taking root, but off to a great start.  One of our challenges is learning how the prison system works. We must create projects that use “prison-friendly” tools, while focusing on creating sophisticated wearables. Each week, Gayle and Rosemary travel to Lusk to teach the women the skills to complete projects, discuss business opportunities in their future, and encourage the women. Beyond the crochet projects the women are learning jewelry techniques in polymer clay and silk painting for summer goods.

Donations are welcome! Anything helps! We are looking for wool sweaters, yarn, fiber materials, leather purses, miscellaneous craft/art materials, etc. If you have any further questions or would like to get involved, please contact us (307) 460-3304 or email us at wow@uwyo.edu or hildeprojectwy@gmail.com

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