Name: Grace McLarty
Term: Spring 2021
Credits: 16
Title: Domestic Terroir: Toward Radical Home Economics?

Field supervisor: Sarah Williams
Subcontractor: Steve Scheuerelle 

Description: 

Narrative: This one-quarter- in-program project, titled “Domestic Terroir: Towards Radical Home Economics?” Is designed to explore the themes of homemaking, women’s work, feminist theory, the commons, racism, the history of fiber art, and more. Through creating a story quilt I will research my ancestry and connect with my personal history, while also connecting with generations of women before me. In my exploration of domestic work, I hope to gain a better understanding of how to inspire radical change within our current economic and social systems  starting in the home. Shannon Hayes describes the four principles of radical homemaking as “family, community, planet and social justice.” (Pg 50, Radical Homemakers) . I plan to dive deep into each of these four principles by doing personal ancestral research, building community through designing the FWJD website, creating a quilt made out of repurposed materials, and exploring the histories of people of color, the LGBTQIA community, and women through reading and research. The foundational texts for this quarter are as follows: The History of White People by Nell Irvin Painter, Revolution at Point Zero by Silvia Federici, Sex, Economy, Freedom & Community by Wendell Berry, Homemaking by Anindya Raychaudhuri, Caliban and the Witch by Silvia Federici, The Fabric of Civilization by Virginia Postrel, Re-Enchanting the World by Silvia Federici and Radical Homemakers by Shannon Hayes.

Learning objective
ActivityDeliverable
 To gain practical skills and knowledge in website design  Design and build a WordPress for Farmworker Justice Day and archive past events on this website. Weekly WordPress submission with research, notes, processes/personal experiences with pictures, and time sheet 
To make a quilt that tells my personal story, explores the themes of feminism, sexuality, and social justice, and is made in a sustainable way.  I will design and sew my quilt using personally significant and repurposed materials. I will research the history of textiles with the book “The Fabric of Civilization” by Virginia Postrel. I will also explore natural dyeing methods with foraged plants and roots. I will present my quilt in a virtual showcase hosted by FPMTQSS, and keep a detailed blog about my process and how the materials I was awarded through their artists grant are being used.  Weekly WordPress submission with research, notes, processes/personal experiences with pictures, and time sheet 
To explore the idea of radical homemaking, home economics, and alternative economic models  My guiding book for this quarter is “Radical Homemaking” by Shannon Hayes. I will also read other books regarding the history of the commons, different perspectives on homemaking, and the intersection of feminism and domesticity. I will also reach out to people who are practicing alternative economics such as Grace Rother, who uses bartering, and people who are involved housing cooperatives.  Weekly WordPress submission with research, notes, processes/personal experiences with pictures, and time sheet 
   

Evaluation of Work

  • WordPress ePortfolio
  • Final week ten presentation
  • Narrative evaluations from field supervisor and/or subcontractor
  • Narrative mid-quarter and final self-evaluations