Spiral Q

TESTIFY! Tell us why Spiral is important to you by completing the phrase, "MY SPIRAL Q STANDS FOR ______." It can be as simple as a phrase or two, a haiku, or a picture of the Q and you. OR take it to the next level with video--we welcome tribute songs, puppet preachers, dancing divas, or purely personalized testimonials. HOW TO? It's a breeze... 1. Click submit (up above). 2. Choose your media format. 3. Browse files on your computer or choose something from the internet. 3. We'll post it! (we'll attribute it to you unless you tell us otherwise). Thanks!

[myspiralq]

"I stand with and for Spiral Q because Spiral Q stands with each of us. Ask yourself, what other organization has clarified it's purpose so beautifully as the Q has with "Joy & Justice?" For nearly 5 years I had the privilege of answering Spiral Q's phone when folks called looking for a way to truly engage their community. When I scan back and find the common thread that explains what these calls were seeking, I can simplify why they were calling. These were our communities, schools and neighbors calling, who all wanted to pursue justice and experience joy. And that’s what they got. I have so many memories of beautiful Spiral Q work. When I close my eyes, these images of JOY & JUSTICE come immediately to mind: ● Seniors rolling in resplendent wheelchairs as part of the spectacle and wonder of the annual Peoplehood Parade... ● A principal leading thousands of students and community members triumphantly through Feltonville's streets. The children holding up signs such as "I come from love," "I come from rice and beans," or "I come from a loving family..." ● Adults early in their drug and alcohol recovery process, living in North Philadelphia recovery homes, marching through their community streets, holding aloft their giant symbolic works of art: A ladder. Broken handcuffs. A tear on a face. An unfinished book. Some of the signs and banners they carry: "I don't want to hurt any more," or "Recovery takes time..." ● Children bringing their Spiral Q giant warrior puppets to their councilwoman's office, advocating for her to fight to restore arts and education funding for Philly's public schools... ● A mentally-challenged man, after 40 years of lovingly sweeping debris and shoveling snow from his community's park and his neighbors' sidewalks, seeing children hold up his giant likeness and hearing those children call his name, at the front of the Norris Square parade, during the final months of his life... And there are so many more... There just isn’t time or space here to tell you about them now." -Ted E.

[myspiralq]

"Spiral Q is a Philadelphia arts organization that transforms recycled goods like cardboard and plastic into puppets and parades that help amplify the stories of the people.

I first worked with the Q as a Temple work study student. This image is from a 2009 parade in North Philly, a neighborhood I had had little interaction with. This woman posed and I snapped her sot. Portraits have never been easy for me, but on parade day so much is possible.

My Spiral Q stands for belief in people. Spiral Q introduced me to Philly and it's beautiful neighborhoods and people."

-Robin Hernandez

[myspiralq]

"My Spiral Q creates a space for expanding voices and sharing ideas. Spiral Q opens up our world and asks us to be an active participant in our communities. Children find their self expression is valued. Activists find creative and positive support that is as eye catching as it is thoughtful and engaging. We all learn through our Spiral Q experiences that we can claim a place for our voices to be heard - parading for what we believe in."

-Sarah Kodish Eskind

Artist

[myspiralq]

My experience with SPIRAL Q Puppet Theater has been an amazing an fruitful time. I learned how to create beautiful and fun puppets, which i use to translate into my own art work, as well as working with others it truly was a worthwhile experience for me.

-Jeffrey S. Artist

[myspiralq]

"My Spiral Q stands for building ownership and confidence through creating. I believe creative energy comes naturally to children. During my time volunteering for Spiral Q, I had the chance to observe the wonderful creative energy the kids have that is almost unmatchable to most of my peers. The energy is pure and direct. Most importantly, the kids are proud and earnest about their work. Through creating, they are able to express what comes from within and feel the joy of making something out of nothing. Their enthusiasm is contagious!"

-Angela WangTyler School of Art '14

[myspiralq]

"My Spiral Q stands for -- Qaid of Public Pedagogy! The Q increases our Q-cabulary -- we learn new words that involve Q -- such as Qaid, a master or leader ... and truly, while we sometimes focus locally on the ways that Spiral Q helps community groups come together in joy with arts and social justice, we should never forget that the Q is a trailblazer, a pathfinder, in the universe of educational practice. The ways that people work with the Q on coming together, brainstorming, designing, collaborating, and performing their ideas are truly ways to take the best theories of teaching and learning, allowing them to blossom through arts and everyday spectacles, and to transform participants and their community in the process. It is in this way that Spiral Q makes a permanent impact not only on those who personally create a pageant, a parade, or a puppet, but world-wide, through those whose own ideas, sparQed by what they know of Q projects, take on their own inQueeries, build their own Qorpus of tools and props and rituals out of recycled and repurposed materials, and share the can-do spirit with their own friends and neighbors." Peter Appelbaum Spiral Q board of directors Professor, Director‐at‐Large of Undergraduate Curriculum Arcadia University

[myspiralq]

My Spiral Q stands for reaching art out to my community. Finally making me proud of my career choice as an artist, because I now see the difference art can make in someone's life. Spiral Q also stands for flipping my intended career path on its head by showing me that working with children is something I need to do for the rest of my life.

-Gabby Marshall Temple University '17 Teaching Assistant, Spiral Q Student Leadership Program 2014-

[myspiralq]

My Spiral Q stands for GROWTH.  In 1999 Spiral Q came to my house.  Literally, they slept on my floor.  My parents helped to organize a community arts organization in my rural little town, and the Q came to help us out with a big inaugural parade.  I remember that I got to hold the tail of a giant blue puppet and I almost broke it when I wanted to sway into the crowd but the main puppeteer was not prepared.  oops.

When I was in college, I returned to the Q to work for them just as they were getting ready to move, and while we were clearing out the massive stores of costumes, props, and puppets they've accumulated over the years, I stumbled upon that same big blue puppet that I held when I was just a little kid.  It was a little bit smaller than I remembered it.

Spiral Q's been around for awhile, and I've grown up beside it and because of it.  The Q gave me an interaction with art that was revelatory and unforgettable, and it does the same for new kids everyday.

-Jake Tolan

[myspiralq]

My spiral Q stands for connection! Through parades and carnivals, workshops and school residencies, performances and discussions, Spiral Q connects communities, people, and ideas together. I witnessed the strength of these connections firsthand during my work with Spiral Q's art residency at Powel Elementary. The weekly preparations for the school-wide parade made important connections in a number of ways: group collaboration brought students together, the class reflections on Philadelphia connected the children to their neighborhood, and the lessons on Latin and South America connected the school to a new culture. Making connections helped the students think creatively and value different perspectives and are the important ways Spiral Q enables us to work together towards social change. -Emily Belshaw

Spiral Q Student Leader UPENN '16

[myspiralq]

"My Spiral Q stands for UNITY. While getting ready to get a parade underway, we were all waiting for our police escort to arrive; everyone was ready to go, and when the police finally arrived, everyone cheered. The common interaction with law enforcement as one of fear, apprehension, and distrust was completely given up in favor of one of unity and appreciation. With Spiral Q, we can take steps to bring everyone together in the spirit of togetherness through creativity and work toward a happier, brighter, and more fair future." -Jesse Harding Spiral Q student leadership program 2007-2009 Artist

[myspiralq]

My Spiral Q is as Unique As You and Me. Spiral Q to me is a powerful inspiration that enlightens all who has the miraculous opportunity to witness The Q in all its glory. Spiral Q stands for all those who need a helping hand; for justice and equality to all. The day I knew Spiral Q was even more than one of the most diverse, interesting, exciting, and active jobs I’ve held, was when my fellow Spiral Q family and I went to City Hall with a giant puppet to support the passing of gay marriage in Pennsylvania.  I am Spiral Q.

-Chanyse.B Temple University Student '15 Program Assistant in Spiral Q's  student leadership program 2014

[myspiralq]

My Spiral Q stands for courage! In a way, Spiral Q helped me find my voice as an artist, as an educator, and as a person. There, I learned about the power of art to transform people and bring about positive change in their lives. There are endless possibilities for people within the art world; Art is in performances, on the streets, and in the way we observe the world. Art is a way of connecting with people of all sorts and art is a universal catalyst for change.

-Erica Mandell Teaching Assistant, Spiral Q Student Leadership Program 2008-2010 Artist and Elementary Art Teacher

[myspiralq]

"My Spiral Q stands for POSSIBILITIES. Working with the Q taught me that I am capable of anything: I entered their office as a painfully reserved intern, and left with a new-found confidence and joy that has changed my life. Their world is magic. Through determination, creativity, and a commitment to change, Spiral Q elevates the potential of others, so we all may be proud and productive members of our communities - and that’s why I stand for Spiral Q. "

-Chelsea

Temple University '12 Spiral Q Student Leadership Program '12

[myspiralq]

Peoplehood, lifts me up, like the puppets we carry, up into the sky, where people can see my voice, whatever the message. Peoplehood lifts my spirit, rain or shine, frost or snow, walking amongst, leading or driving behind us, gathered humans, in and through our neighborhood in our streets. Peoplehood shows me myself when it's easy to forget and hard to remember.

- Jennifer Turnbull

[myspiralq]

My Spiral Q stands for uncompromising resilience through art and songs that honor struggle and celebrate our unique voices.

diane foglizzo girls rock philly

[myspiralq]

My Spiral Q Stands for Community

Spiral Q showed me the power of coming together, combining creative energy, hope for a better future, stories to tell, and determination to achieve a greater good!

-Christina Milbourne Spiral Q intern - Senior Project 2010 Oberlin College '14

[myspiralq]

My Spiral Q stands for community. I have never experienced an organization that brings people together the way that Spiral Q does. The effect that it has on both children and adults is mind boggling. Whether you are 8 or 80, there is room for you at Spiral Q. You can create, advocate, or simply enjoy.

-Selena Masterman High School '13