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Love Across the USA

  • Map
  • Installations
  • Workshops
  • Make Your Own Mini
  • Make Your Own Pattern
  • Instructional Videos
  • Press
  • Meet the Team
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#flashbackfriday to our workshop in #akron #Ohio! Wish you all happy hooking โœŒ๏ธ๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“ธ @_jennkidd_ ๐Ÿ™ thank you @redheartyarns for a generous donation of yarn for our ongoing community projects ๐Ÿ™ #tbt to our workshops in Philly! Olek returns to Philadelphia on April 29th to check on the progress and give another talk about the importance of building healthy community. Check the link in bio for details. ๐Ÿ“ธ courtesy of @muralarts & @barnesfoundation ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’– #loveacrosstheusa #teamolek ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ–ค So much #LOVE for you, Philadelphia! First pieces at random ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ–ค Our mural is coming together! A big THANK YOU to all the amazing participants of #LATUSA in #Philly !!! The Sunday sessions @barnesfoundation have been so much fun so far! The @muralarts studio space is now all dressed in #squares that will be part of our giant #crochet #mural // Come see us EVERY SUNDAY thru May from 1-4 PM // #communityart #muralartsproject #philadelphia #comingtogether #loveacrosstheusa #redheartyarns #teamolek PHOTO BY Sharon Bybee, one of the lovely stitchers in this project HEY PHILLY - come join #teamolek for an afternoon of #crochet and laughs!!! We will be hosting our weekly drop-in session at the Mural Arts Studio in front of the Barnes Foundation. Bring your square or join the project. We only have a few squares left. Last Sunday was a blast!!! So amazing to see the pieces for our mural come in and to watch you all helping each other and getting to know each other ๐Ÿ’œ #latusa #sharethelove #communityart #publicart #philadelphia #pennsylvania #redheartyarn #muralarts #barnesfoundation WOW!!! What a week itโ€™s been for Team #LATUSA and the wonderful crochet family we have been building on our journey across the country. Last week we stopped in #Philadelphia and the first squares are already done!!! ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ–ค Yโ€™all rock!!! This weekend we are #crocheting in #Akron and the hooks have been clicking non-stop. Stay tuned for more stories, squares and shenanigans from #Pennsylvania and #Ohio // #letskeepgoing #mural #publicart #communityproject #crochet #loveacrosstheusa #teamolek Hey #AKRON #OHIO โค๏ธ Team Olek is getting ready to crochet w you this weekend @harpsandthistlesyarnemporium // The #latusa workshops in #Philly were so much fun!!! So come on out and join us for our fourth state and fifth mural of a strong woman // There will be three sessions: one Friday evening and two on Saturday // workshops are free and all yarn will be provided by @redheartyarns // sign-up link in profile // #loveacrosstheusa #crochet #publicart #communityproject #akron #ohio ๐Ÿ“ธ @muralarts of our workshop in PA Happy crocheting, Philadelphia!!! We had a great time this weekend in Pennsylvania, our third LATUSA state! Thank you @muralarts @barnesfoundation for having us, thank you @redheartyarns for providing the yarn - the colors for our new mural are so BEAUTIFUL ๐Ÿ’œ and most of all, thanks for coming out and crocheting with us, #Philadelphia // #crochet #publicart #communityartproject #loveacrosstheusa #womeninhistory #mural #pennsylvania AND: see you this weekend #Akron #Ohio HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENโ€˜S DAY ๐Ÿ’œ We are so grateful for each and everyone, who has spread the LOVE with us! Thank you #harriettubman #susanbanthony #ninasimone for raising your voices, for inspiring us! And thank you #Philadelphia!!! Spots for the March 17 workshops are almost filled. AMAZING! We cannot wait to begin working on our 4th mural ๐Ÿ’œ #internationalwomensday #raleigh #auburn #rochester #philadelphia #crochet #communityart #publicart #teamolek #loveacrosstheusa Hey, lovely followers of LATUSA ๐Ÿ’œ We are back ๐Ÿ’œ Next stop: #Philadelphia PA!!! Together with @muralarts and @barnesfoundation we are bringing the next crochet mural and love to the streets and community in Philadelphia. If you want to join, REGISTER for our WORKSHOPS on March 17!!! Link in profile. We are so EXCITED ๐Ÿ™Œ @oleknyc #loveacrosstheusa #pennsylvania #philly #crochet #muralarts AND OF COURSE @redheartyarns who provide the yarn for this amazing #communityartproject TAG a friend! We are looking forward to meeting all of you! Nina is still standing strong (๐Ÿ“ธ by @theschrauf ๐Ÿ™โค๏ธ) in Raleigh and we are ready with workshops in two locations: Philly and Akron #staytunedforupdates #loveacrosstheusa Thank you @rocbikemom ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’– QUESTION- would you like us to make the patterns available? #repost ใƒปใƒปใƒป With #BlackHistoryMonth coming to a close, let's shine some love on #HarrietTubman, a true American #shero ! . When I can't bike, I crochet! . Pattern soon to be available at LoveAcrossTheUSA.com . Follow @loveacrosstheusa to track @oleknyc 's community based crochet mural project which will highlight the accomplishments of women in each of the 50 states . #teamolek #loveacrosstheusa #olek #redheartyarns #crochet #crochetmoments #crochetersofinstagram #instacrochet #crocheted #crochetart #crochet_lovers_world #handmade . . #ROCbikeMom Today is Nina Simone's birthday. She would have been 85. โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ #Repost @oleknyc ใƒปใƒปใƒป @guerrillagirlsโ€™s quiz: โ€œIf February is black history month, and March is womenโ€™s history month, what happens the rest of the year?โ€ Every day should be womenโ€™s day! And really??? The USA dedicated only the shortest month to black history? With my ongoing Public Project @loveacrosstheusa, I'm learning a lot. Iโ€™m learning about how deep the racism is in this country and how important it is to find a way for everyone to heal and move forward. Iโ€™m also learning about many outstanding figures past and present who are my true heroes, or rather, #sheros. And itโ€™s not about giving them just one month. It's time to dedicate more time and more than a mere paragraph in the history books. Kids of all colors must learn the details of heroic achievements by ladies like my inspiration, #HarrietTubman. What a lady, warrior and Goddess. I had the honor of working on her mural, meeting her great grand niece, and visiting her house in Auburn. The T-shirt that was gifted to me reminds me to keep going. โ€œIf you are tired, keep going. If you are scared, keep going. If you are hungry, keep going. If you want to taste freedom, keep going.โ€ We all fight some private battles. Letโ€™s embrace one another and #KeepGoing. Wish you all a wonderful Love day ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’– #womensdayeveryday #blackhistoryeveryday #lovedayeveryday ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™ #olek We ๐Ÿ’– everything about this ๐Ÿ“ท!!! #Repost @visitraleigh ใƒปใƒปใƒป International artist @oleknyc installed this beautiful, 40โ€™ wide x 20โ€™ tall crocheted mural on the facade of the @raleighconvention. The depiction of Nina Simone, a North Carolina native famous for her musical talents and advocacy of equality, was created with the help of more than 140 local volunteersโ€”be sure to check it out in downtown Raleigh! Thank you, @rellymoorer, for sharing your #visitRaleigh photo with us! At last!!! We are so happy that Nina Simone will be inducted into the Rockโ€™nโ€™Roll Hall of Fame โค๏ธ Thank you for standing up, speaking up and inspiring us with your music. Sending love to Raleigh, NC today, where all 599.040 loops of our mural pay tribute to the amazing woman, activist and artist she was // #ninasimone #rockhall2018 #communityproject #lovealwayswins #redheartyarn #publicart #raleigh #northcarolina Happy belated Friendsgiving!! We are grateful for the women and men who welcomed us into their communities this year, who shared their stories and joined in our celebration of inspiring women. Thank you for your kindness and generosity, and for helping us to begin this incredible journey across the U.S. #lovewins My friend @sakiwaki just sent me this stunning picture. It documents the moment when i decided to start a new chapter in my life. ๐Ÿ’–I remember the day I was preparing for the march in DC. I was thinking about what kind of sign should I make. Mother Theresa said she would never have walked in an anti-war rally, but would join in pro-peace one. And I believe that this is the way we have to think. ๐Ÿ’– Most of my previous pieces were pretty sarcastic, kind of a smartass. But I realize we have entered a very specific time and the only thing we all have is our love that will trump the hate. So I took one of my pieces from 2013 saying, โ€œLove always wins, haha not really,โ€ and I ripped the last line from the piece. ๐Ÿ’– I went to the march in DC with LES LOVE bus full of amazing individuals. We got really fired up. It was one of the most beautiful collective experiences in my life. ๐Ÿ™ Light always wins. When you have a dark room and tiny little light, you will see the light will eventually take over the room. One heart can change the environment. I believe that together we can make a huge difference. And this was the beginning of the #LoveacrosstheUSA! #teamolek #olek #ladiespower Wow @djrootboi! We โค๏ธ this ๐Ÿ“ท #wishyouallagreatday ๐Ÿ”ฎ๐Ÿ”ฎ๐Ÿ”ฎ ใƒปใƒปใƒป VIBES ๐Ÿ’ฏ #ninasimone #olekyarn #loveacrosstheusa #olek We โค๏ธ @rocbikemom I met Lisa months ago as she came to my workshop in Rochester. She didnโ€™t know how to crochet and tried to quit on me a few times. Well I persisted and encouraged her to keep working. Soon after, she became one of our lead people who helped to finish and install the mural in Rochester. Oh I wish you could see her on top of the roof getting the piece in place!!! Then she started to crochet one flower each day for a month. When she was done and didnโ€™t know what to do with them, I suggested her to crochet a mini Harriet and use the flowers for the frame. This way she made the first mini version of one of our crocheted murals. Remember, she just started crocheting a couple months earlier!!! Iโ€™m very impressed with Lisa and her dedication to our work. Soon we will be making this and other patterns available for you all!!! #loopafterloop #lovewins #celebratingwomen #redheartyarns #teamolek4life ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™โค๏ธ๐Ÿ’–โค๏ธ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™ ps. #womenonbikes ๐Ÿ’ช Thank you @mayormcfarlane for stopping by our mural. You look strong and beautiful in front of this wall made by powerful hearts. I hope you are a great politician who takes care of all people. And ps. Itโ€™s #crocheted ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™ ๐Ÿ˜˜ ใƒปใƒปใƒป As youโ€™re out and about this week, stop by the Raleigh Convention Center and check out this incredible mural of NCโ€™s own Nina Simone knitted by more than 100 volunteers and artist Olek. Itโ€™s spectacular!