You can bring this fourteen-year project to realization!
Between 2009 and 2024 Karen has undertaken the design of the 14 Stations of the Cross, a mini-pilgrimage of Jesus’ journey from condemnation by Pilate to the Cross. These designs for future fabric art have been toured across B.C. in 5 separate tours.
One Station (number 9), "Shattered", has now been created in fabric and was shown during the 2017 Anglican Foundation's exhibit: (in)finite: spiritual conversations in cloth, in Vancouver, B.C. as well as The Craft of Spirit; BC Liturgical Textiles at The Italian Cultural Centre, Vancouver, B.C.
Now, Karen launches a new fundraising campaign with the goal of realizing all 14 Stations in fabric. Please join us to learn about how you can help bring this vibrant fabric art series to life!
$0
We're almost halfway to our fundraising goal of $42,000!
Thanks to the generous support of numourous patrons across the world! Will you join us in bringing these project to life?
YES! Please allow me to support this fabric art ministry.
Discover how you can support this project below:
Support the Stations of the Cross
YES! I want to be a patron of this project! Please allow me to support the ministry of liturgical fabric artist Karen Brodie Designs to bear ‘fruit that will last’ in the world as she brings her Stations of the Cross project to life in textiles.
There are many ways to contribute to match all financial abilities and interests. Please note that tax receipts are not available for this project; Karen Brodie Designs operates according to the laws of Canada as a business.
Frequency
One time
Monthly
Amount
C$10.00
C$25.00
C$50.00
C$100.00
C$250.00
C$500.00
Other
0/100
I would like to have this art completed in loving memory or to honour someone special:
Experience the Patterns of the Cross
A Stations of the Cross Retreat
Does your Lenten season hold intentional time away for nourishment? Or is it more of a sprint to Easter? Whatever your walk with God, whatever shape your ministry or servanthood takes, we all benefit from sabbath time.
As a fundraiser for Bringing the 14 Stations of the Cross to Life in fabric art, you are warmly invited to an intimate group setting that will feed your spirit and soothe your soul. Created and ably guided by internationally commissioned liturgical artist and licensed lay minister Karen Brodie Archibald, this retreat will include 7 hours of rest and prayer, as well as contemporary art and reflections from Karen's Stations of the Cross project. This is a 'Stations' devotional unlike any you've ever experienced!
Once again Karen is offering this retreat in an online format through Zoom. For the first time, the retreat will also be offered in an intimate in-person space: St. Andrews Anglican Church in Kelowna, British Columbia. In both spaces, Karen guides a restful, meditative experience in which you can journey closely with Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane to resurrection joy.
Jesus took time away to rest and pray. Jesus took 40 days in the wilderness to re-align himself as God’s beloved. Allow yourself the time to do the same.
Please send any questions to karen@brodiedesigns.com. Registrations with a donation are available below!
This is a safe, welcoming, inclusive retreat where diversity is respected and honoured.
Meet the artist:
Karen Brodie Archibald
Karen’s path to a career making liturgical fabric art began with a diploma in fashion design at the Phyllis Herndl College of Fashion 1988-89. Early jobs, pattern drafting, cutting and sewing in small factories, brought Karen to the technique of fabric appliqué. Self employment with these skills began in 1991 in Vancouver, B.C. with custom dressmaking, and the beginning of liturgical (church) art as Karen applied her new skills of fabric appliqué. Her life-long involvement in church, as well as a stint as a youth ministry worker, brought her to the intersection of these two passions.
For more than a quarter of a century from her studio in rural Golden, B.C., Karen’s sole work has been producing liturgical fabric art. This work has led to a large portfolio, being commissioned by churches and individuals of many Christian denominations across the continent and beyond. This includes hundreds of clergy and deacon stoles, vestments, altar sets, and banners large and small.
"As a Christian I have spent my life saying ‘Yes’ to the Spirit of God. This allows me to become a vessel for stories, symbols, movement, and emotion as I seek to illustrate God’s love for all people. It brings me joy to work with people from churches and clergy across the globe, to get to know fellow leaders and how I can best be in service to their ministry. Prayer and contemplation are a daily part of this process."
-
What are the Stations of the Cross?Also known as "The Way of the Cross" or the "Via Dolorosa," the Stations of the Cross depicts the Journey of Jesus Christ from condemnation to death on a cross. Originally these were stops along the actual route in Jerusalem but were created into 14 stops or illustrations for those who could not pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Journeying The Stations of the Cross is a devotional experience portrayed across many different denominations of faith.
-
What is the purpose of this project? What do you hope to accomplish?Once complete, the 14 Stations will be exhibited first in Vancouver, B.C. for three months in 2026. We will hold in-gallery events such as devotional mini-pilgrimages and retreats. Just the creation of this art, plus the expected events, will add to the world art that brings people in touch with the Paschal mystery and cycle of life, death and resurrection. Throughout the process of receiving reflections from many clergypersons of various denominations, Karen has seen and felt the connections and revelations that are possible through this project and hopes that others, regardless of spiritual journeys, will experience the same.
-
What do you need money for?To bring all 13 remaining Stations to life in fabric art over the course of 2025, it will take materials (fabrics and equipment), patterns, piecework, sewing, and miscellaneous other costs. Karen plans to seek help from underpaid individuals in her local community, providing them with valuable skills while receiving assistance as supporting craftspersons, overseeing the project, and applying her skills as a master-seamstress as necessary.
-
Are the Stations completed as funding is received?It is the hope that through this fundraising campaign and three grant applications, enough funds will be raised ahead of the creation of the Stations that we won’t have to do both fundraising and creation at the same time. As of January 2025, work has begun to complete Station One, and we will continue to work diligently to complete the project. If we don’t reach our entire funding goal, rest assured that every contribution will still be put to good use. The funds will help cover essential materials and support the creation of future stations, ensuring that the project continues to grow and resonate. Your support is invaluable, and together we can bring this vision to life!
-
When will the project be complete?2025 will be the year that this series will be transformed from drawings to fabric art. They will be completed by the end of 2025 and exhibited first in Vancouver, B.C. at the Il Museo Gallery at the Italian Cultural Center in 2026. The thirteen pieces remaining to finish this series will be created over 12 months.
-
How long does each Station take to complete?After years collecting the reflections invited and given freely from 14 clergy authors, each drawing took approximately 10-14 days to draw over 7 Lenten seasons. Station Number 9 was created in fabric art as an experiment to try making it in finished fabric; it took upward of 50 hours of meticulous construction.
-
What materials are used?Karen prefers to work in fine natural fibers such as silk, cotton, linen, wool, etc.
-
What kind of fabric art is this?Karen uses a technique of fabric appliqué piecework.
-
How will this project support underpaid people through its creative process?Karen is currently receiving help from underpaid women and non-binary individuals in her local community, providing them with valuable skills while receiving assistance as supporting craftspersons with the tasks that are unskilled such as patterns, piecework and cutting. These working relationships will receive appropriate compensation through both grants and fundraising as part of the overall project.
-
Can I receive a tax deductive receipt with my donation?Tax receipts are not available for this project. Karen is an artist with a ministry but must operate as a business according to the laws of Canada.
-
What theological perspective will this project display?This project is non-denominational and ecumenical. The authors of the Stations reflections represent 10 diverse Christian denominations across Canada, the USA and the UK and remarkably, find common ground in the sacred pattern of life, death and rebirth which is at the heart of the Christian faith. All of the reflections can be found in this YouTube playlist.
-
Will my church be able to host this art show?After March 2026 this series will be available for hosting by churches and galleries across Canada. If you or your church would like to be a priority in this schedule, you can do so by sponsoring one whole station. It is expected that the series will be available to tour in the USA after March 2027.
-
Will this series be permanently displayed anywhere in the future?There are currently no plans for permanent exhibition. Ideas?
-
How can I view more of Karen's artwork and ministry?You can view Karen's lines of clergy stoles as well as custom liturgical art creations at www.brodiedesigns.com.
This series will premiere in Vancouver B.C. in January, 2026. It will be shown in Toronto in the first quarter of 2027 and other locations in between. Stay tuned for more details.
Contact us to express your interest in hosting an exhibition.
