Hannah Brancato is an artist, craftsperson, designer and activist who believes in making and sustaining traditions through the community of art. Her work uses handmade textiles and crafts to re-evaluate the function of ornament in contemporary life. 

Brancato is an active participant in art and craft events in Baltimore City. She has curated shows and organized events at the Current Gallery and Load of Fun, in addition to exhibiting work at the Transmodern Festival and Gilah Press. She is currently a full-time Americorps volunteer at the House Of Ruth Maryland, where she is creating a Community Artist and Art + Craft Coordinator position (hruth.org).

Jewelry Making Station
Since 2008, I have volunteered through Community Art Corps/Americorps at House Of Ruth Maryland, a comprehensive domestic violence service and advocacy organization. In the agency’s emergency shelter, I am developing the infrastructure for a new Art + Craft Program. Working with staff, volunteers, and residents, I have launched an ongoing fundraiser called the Jewelry Project. Residents make and donate jewelry, which is then sold at craft fairs and in local businesses; proceeds go back to the program. Our workshops create a safe zone for dialogue about surviving domestic violence.  By giving women staying temporarily in the shelter power to raise funds for this program, they can give back to House Of Ruth while recreationally creating art.  The Jewelry Making Station will mirror these shelter-based workshops. Passersby will learn the process of creating jewelry, which they have the option of donating to the Jewelry Project. My intent is to spark a conversation about empowerment through craft; participants will give jewelry and leave with information.  

For more information about House Of Ruth, visit http://www.hruth.org.

For more information about Jewelry Project, http://thejewelryproject.blogspot.com