A mindful act of rebellion that turns people into communities
At its heart, Art on the Mend is a mindful act of rebellion—countering isolation, digital overload, and overconsumption.
Instead, we gather regularly in-person to slow down, connect, share stories, and mend our clothing in community.
How exactly does mending & storytelling turn people into communities?
Repairing something with your hands slows conversation.
Sharing the story behind a favorite garment or responding to a question or prompt invites vulnerability.
Working side-by-side removes the pressure of face-to-face socializing.
By the end of the circle, people leave with repaired clothing—and new insights and relationships.
Our Collective Impact
Since we started in July 2025, we have had:
850 Participants
Hundreds of Pieces of Clothing and Textile Items Mended
65 Circles
16 “Mend-tors” Volunteer
7 Guest Artists and Speakers
3 Mend-tors Start Circles in the United States and Poland
Numerous Partnerships with libraries, museums, universities, and nonprofits across the Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia (DMV) area and Los Angeles, California
Welcome to Art on the Mend!
Where Mending & Story Sharing Merge
Got a tear, hole, worn-out spot, or stain? Bring your clothes and textiles to our circles to learn how you can bring them back to life with visible mending—creative repairs that are meant to be seen, shared, and celebrated. We pose a thoughtful prompt or question to foster story sharing and the camaraderie of mending in community.
Making a Kit & Sashiko Palm Thimble
Whether you’ve never threaded a needle or you’ve been stitching for years, you’re welcome here!
Alison Davis-Holland is the Founder and Lead Mend-tor of Art on the Mend. She is an artist, educator, geographer, and naturalist whose work inspires connection with our fellow humans and our planet. She partners with organizations to create opportunities for people to connect through visible mending and meaningful dialogue.
Ready to try it out?
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Art on the Mend 