In January 2026, I was heartbroken by the news coming out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. First, the murder of queer mom Renee Good, then ICU nurse Alex Pretti. I'm a queer mom myself, raising the next generation of those who feel called to protect the most vulnerable among us. Sitting at my sewing machine became a way to pray and sort through feelings of grief and helplessness, mirrored in the form the final compositions took. Indeed, the blankets I made may never be large enough to cover or comfort anyone.
The practice of an improvised approach to assembly connected me to radical imperfection — anathema for a designer whose native workflow has been firmly rooted in the digital space for decades. I worked with mistakes instead of un-/re-doing them. Constraining myself to scraps of vintage or upcycled fabric or items I already had on hand, I sometimes let the shape of a scrap define the composition. I would cut up one composition and sew it to another just to see how the piece would shift. The exercise healed a part of my frustration and connected me to all the ancestors who crafted as an act of prayer and resistance.
A selection of mini-quilts will be available at Art Vending North Adams, in the Courtyard at Mass MoCA, starting June 2026. A portion of total sales to Hive Aid, a community-powered mutual aid fund organized by Savvy Hive in North Adams, MA.
Jenny Bergman is a Graphic Designer, Photographer, and Multidisciplinary Artist
Sometimes credited as The Secret Bureau of Art + Design, Jenny specializes in creative direction for independent music, brand development for small businesses and non-profits. As a Creativity Coach, Jenny meets 1-on-1 with individual artists, produces and programs retreats, and speaks publicly about the intersection of creativity, mental health, and neurodiversity.
Creative Direction + Consultation
Album Art + Music Packaging
Poster Design
Logo Design + Brand Systems
Fine Art + Commercial Photography
Website Design
1-on-1 Creativity Coaching + Consulting
Event Programming + Production