The Boise Peace Quilt Project is a grassroots political, radical handmade movement started in Boise, Idaho, in 1982 by co-founders Ann Hausrath and Diane Jones. Created during the Cold War as a symbol of friendship and a protest against nuclear proliferation, the group crafted handmade quilts to advocate for peace and connect with citizens and leaders globally. Crafted by 35 Idahoans and presented to the Soviet Women’s Committee in Moscow as a gesture of peace, the first quilt was made in 1982. In 1984 their quilt featured blocks drawn by local schoolchildren. The project circulated the quilt among U.S. senators, inviting at least 55 lawmakers to sleep under it and write their reflections in an accompanying journal. The inspirational efforts of the group were captured in a 2002 documentary film called A Stitch in Time chronicling their peace-building mission. The Boise Peace Quilt Project has honored numerous prominent peace activists, humanitarian leaders, and public figures with Peace Quilt Awards since the early 1980s. Notable individual recipients include Rosa Parks, Mr. Rogers, Pete Seeger, Senator Frank Church, Eve Ensler, and Dr. Patch Adams to name a few!

Artisans For Hope is so very honored to be receiving the most recent Boise Peace Quilt for our humanitarian work with refugees and in arts activism at a ceremony this Friday August 21, 2026 at 11:30am at Artisans For Hope. We can’t wait for you to see our quilt as it features squares handmade by several of our artisans from refugee backgrounds. Refreshments will be served and you are all invited!